Ohio lawmakers defend Florida-style parental rights legislation against critics

Originally Published on FoxNews.com

The co-sponsors of Ohio's 'Don't Say Gay' bill, say critics are incorrectly portraying the legislation as anti-LGBTQ

Ohio lawmakers said critics are misleading the public about legislation opponents have dubbed the Buckeye State's version of the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

State Reps. Jean Schmidt and Rep. Mike Loychik introduced legislation that would ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade, and then would allow age-appropriate discussion for older students. Critics have argued that bill is overly broad and would endanger LGBTQ students.

"This is not an attack on the LGBTQ community," Loychik, a Republican, told Fox News. It's about protecting "the innocence of our kindergartners when they go to school."

He said students don't need to focus on these concepts at that age. Older students could have these discussions as long as they're tailored to their grade level and the educators are well-trained in teaching that curricula, according to the bill. 

The bill "ensures that our students, no matter what their age is, are receiving an appropriate education that is free of the indoctrination, that is age appropriate," Schmidt, a fellow Republican, said. "Let's make sure that those concepts are taught at an appropriate age."

Loychik said he explained the bill to some constituents, who were supportive once they understood that it was aimed at the youngest classrooms.

But critics have said the bill is an attack on the LGBTQ community….