Beginning in 1987, there have been laws in the United States that restrict the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some were repealed, a new wave of censorship laws surged in the 2020s—many targeting public education. In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court escalated this trend by ruling 6–3 that public school parents must be allowed to opt their children out of any classroom instruction involving LGBTQ+ themes based on religious objections. This ruling opens the door for widespread censorship of LGBTQ+ content in schools across the country—even where no formal “Don’t Say Gay” laws exist. It empowers religious and political backlash to silence LGBTQ+ voices and erases queer and trans people from curricula under the guise of parental rights. Advocates warn this decision will have chilling effects nationwide, forcing schools to preemptively exclude LGBTQ+ stories, families, and identities to avoid conflict – turning inclusive education into a political minefield and putting LGBTQ+ youth at greater risk of isolation, stigma, and harm. rights. However, there is nothing preventing parents from allowing their children to learn about LGBTIQ+ topics on the federal level. Advocates warn this decision will have chilling effects nationwide, forcing schools to preemptively exclude LGBTQ+ stories, families, and identities to avoid conflict – turning inclusive education into a political minefield and putting LGBTQ+ youth at greater risk of isolation, stigma, and harm.

Beginning in 1987, there have been laws in the United States that restrict the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some laws enacted in the 80s and 90s were later repealed, others were not, and more laws were passed in the 2020s. a new wave of censorship laws surged in the 2020s—many targeting public education. In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court escalated this trend by ruling 6–3 that public school parents must be allowed to opt their children out of any classroom instruction involving LGBTQ+ themes based on religious objections. This ruling opens the door for widespread censorship of LGBTQ+ content in schools across the country—even where no formal “Don’t Say Gay” laws exist. It empowers religious and political backlash to silence LGBTQ+ voices and erases queer and trans people from curricula under the guise of parental rights. Advocates warn this decision will have chilling effects nationwide, forcing schools to preemptively exclude LGBTQ+ stories, families, and identities to avoid conflict – turning inclusive education into a political minefield and putting LGBTQ+ youth at greater risk of isolation, stigma, and harm.

Since 1988, there have been laws in the United States that have restricted the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some laws enacted in the 80s and 90s were repealed, some were not and more laws would pass in the 2020s. Alabama Public Television banned an episode of “Arthur” (entitled “Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone”) because Mike McKenzie (director of programming for the station) deemed the episode “inappropriate” for young viewers. It is unknown about other American states’ censorship laws regarding LGBTQIA+ issues. 1987, there have been laws in the United States that have restricted the discussion of LGBTIQ+ issues in several states. While some laws enacted in the 80s and 90s were repealed, some were not and more laws would pass in the 2020s. Alabama Public Television banned an episode of “Arthur” (entitled “Mr Ratburn and the Special Someone”) because Mike McKenzie (director of programming for the station) deemed the episode “inappropriate” for young viewers. It is unknown about other American states’ censorship laws regarding LGBTQIA+ issues.