URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity is a state-driven national Reproductive Justice organization powered by and for young people (18-30 years old) in the South, Midwest, and California. We are deeply invested in Alabama, California, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. We particularly center the voices of those who are BIPoC and LGBTQIA+.
HB 23 is a harmful, anti-LGBTQIA+ and anti-sex education bill that seeks to ban classroom discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity from being provided to Alabama Public School Students K-12. This bill would ostracize and discriminate against LGBTQIA+ young people, putting them at higher risk of social isolation, bullying, and mental health harms. All students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to feel welcomed, included, and respected when accessing education.
Don’t Say Gay Bills did not pass in 2025, but one has already been re-introduced as HB 23 for the 2026 Legislative Session.
How can we take action?
We encourage our AL partners and members to call on our state legislators and ask that they do not pass HB 23 in the 2026 Legislature Session. Below, you will find sample scripts for letter writing and phone calling when reaching out to your legislators, along with sample social media posts you may use to encourage your communities to take action. We’ve also included resources on how to write your own customizable script for legislative outreach and sample messages to incorporate into your efforts. Please feel free to share this toolkit with your networks so we can maximize outreach together!
🚨Bad bill alert! A dangerous, anti-LGBTQIA+ bill, HB 23, is being introduced in the AL statehouse right now that would forbid any discussions of gender or sexuality in classrooms. No student should feel isolated or stigmatized because of their identity. Tell your AL legislator to OPPOSE HB 23!
Legislator Outreach Tools
(If you write a letter or make a call, email croark@urge.org and let us know that you did!)
Sample Script for calling or writing to your Legislator:
“I am your constituent writing to ask that you oppose HB 23 which would prohibit classroom conversations about gender and sexual orientation in all Alabama Public Schools K-12.
Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and stigma against our bodies, sex, and gender make it harder to live freely and with dignity. We deserve to live free from violence.
Our young people deserve better. Please vote NO on HB 23 in 2026.”
Find Your Legislator – input your voting address & scroll all the way to the bottom to see your STATE legislators, not your federal representatives.
– We need comprehensive, medically accurate, LGTBQIA+ inclusive sex ed programs – including interpersonal skills that help us explore our values, goals, and options.
– Inclusive sex education provides information relevant to all sexual orientations and gender identities, reducing stigma, mental health struggles, and health disparities among LGBTQIA+ young people.
– Young people are often exposed to misinformation about sex, relationships, and reproductive health—whether from social media, peers, or unreliable sources.
– Many of these sources spread harmful myths about contraception, STIs, gender, and consent.
– Understanding one’s body and reproductive health empowers young people to make choices that align with their values and well-being.
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