8 states restricted sex ed last year. More could join amid growing parents' rights activism

When Florida passed a 2022 bill prohibiting classroom discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through third grade, it kicked off a trend.

Last year, eight states enacted laws restricting sex education, often targeting LGBTQ+-related discussions in early elementary grades and, in some cases, banning any form of sex education at those levels. Florida, meanwhile, went on to expand what critics call its "Don't Say Gay" law, making it illegal to teach kids about sexual orientation and gender identity until they're in ninth grade and restricting students' use of pronouns to those aligning with the sex they were assigned at birth.

In addition to the new laws targeting LGBTQ+ content, a few restricted information about abortion. Many were advanced by policymakers who argued that such restrictions were key to protecting parental rights.