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First Lawsuit To Challenge Ban On Classroom Discussion Of Homosexuality Filed In Utah

At least seven other states have "no promo homo" laws that prohibit LGBT discussions in schools.

Curriculum laws that currently prohibit public schools in Utah from positively discussing homosexuality in the classroom were challenged for the first time in federal court last week.

Equality Utah sued the state's education department over the laws that the group describes as unconstitutional, saying that they violate rights to free speech and equal protection.

The group declared the laws were created to "express moral disapproval of homosexuality and of LGBT persons," pointing out that they don't actually serve the state in any way.

"It explicitly stigmatizes queer students," said Equality Utah Executive Director Troy Williams. "It sends a message that our lives are something shameful, something that must be censored and erased. The time has come to end the stigma and strike 'no promo homo' from state law."

Dubbed by LGBT activists as "no promo homo" or "don't say gay" laws, similar discriminatory legislation can currently be found in seven other states as well, but this is the first time a lawsuit objecting to the rules has been filed in the country.

Activists are hopeful that the upcoming court proceedings set a precedent for striking down these homophobic laws on a national level.

h/t: sltrib

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