NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A proposal that would ban the teaching of gay issues to elementary and middle school students is once again advancing in the House.
The measure, known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, passed the House Education Committee 8-7 on Tuesday. The proposal failed on a voice vote but passed on a roll call vote.
The legislation limits sexually related instruction to "natural human reproduction science" in kindergarten through eighth grade. The proposal had been put aside for a measure that would require "family life education" curricula taught in schools to be abstinence-centered.
But Hohenwald Republican Rep. Joey Hensley said he decided to move his bill again after he said a survey of his district showed "well over 95 percent ... don't want homosexuality discussed in those grade levels."
The companion bill passed the Senate last year.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
