Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a sweeping bill into law Wednesday that prohibits public schools and universities from maintaining or funding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The law, known as SB129, also requires public universities to \u201cdesignate restrooms on the basis of biological sex\u201d \u2014 which Alabama law defines as \u201cthe physical condition of being male or female, as stated on the individual\u2019s original birth certificate\u201d \u2014 and not the gender that aligns with how a person identifies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement shared with CNN Wednesday, Gov. Ivey said her administration \u201cwill continue to value Alabama\u2019s rich diversity,\u201d but she vowed to stop DEI supporters and proponents from pursuing a \u201cliberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The law goes into effect on October 1, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SB129 comes amid a nationwide push from conservative lawmakers to limit the rights of transgender and LGBTQ individuals and ban DEI programs after the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislation prohibits local public school boards and universities from maintaining an office or department that promotes DEI. It also bars students, employees, and contractors from being required to attend any DEI \u201ctraining, orientation, or course work that advocates or requires assent to a divisive concept.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legislation outlines eight \u201cdivisive concepts\u201d including discussions around conscious or subconscious racism and sexism, and whether \u201cmeritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist\u201d that are now prohibited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also empowers state agencies \u2013 including local boards of education and public universities \u2013 to \u201cdiscipline or terminate the employment of any employee or contractor who knowingly violates this act.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the law specifically notes that it <\/strong>does not prohibit students and staff from hosting DEI programs \u201cprovided that no state funds are used.\u201d Universities are also still allowed to \u201cengage in recruiting and outreach programs\u201d and teach topics and events in a \u201chistorically accurate context.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this month, protesters rallied outside of the Alabama state capitol and urged lawmakers to oppose the bill, holding signs that read \u201cDemocracy thrives on diversity\u201d and \u201cDEI saves lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ACLU of Alabama also spoke out against state lawmakers\u2019 attempt to frame DEI programs as \u201cdivisive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis bill is intended to have a chilling effect on discourse regarding race, class, sexuality, and national origin, and seeks to characterize these discussions and accurate teachings, assignments, and trainings that also supplement them as \u2018divisive,\u2019\u201d the legal advocacy group <\/strong>wrote in a statement<\/u><\/a> on their website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has said he would encourage Black athletes to consider attending <\/strong>universities outside of his state <\/strong>if the bill were to become a law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo the State of Alabama: Why would you make it illegal for institutions of higher learning to promote diversity and inclusion among its faculty and staff? Why would you block fair representation and opportunities for all people,\u201d Woodfin wrote on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlthough I\u2019m the biggest Bama fan, I have no problem organizing Black parents and athletes to attend other institutions outside of the state where diversity and inclusion are prioritized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n