Arkansas lawmakers approved an anti-LGBTQ bill that would allow school employees to misgender students and prohibit calling students by a name “inconsistent” with the name on their birth records. 

The Senate passed House Bill 1468 on April 6, and it was sent to the governor’s office.

The bill, named “The Given Name Act,” is sponsored by Rep. Wayne Long (R-Bradford) and Sen. Mark Johnson (R-Little Rock). It sped through the legislature after being filed Feb. 20. 

According to HB1468, if a student at a public or state-supported school of higher education wishes to go by a name or pronouns different from their biological sex and is a minor, they must acquire written consent from their parents. 

Under the bill, educators can still opt out of using a student’s preferred name or pronoun even with parental permission.

The bill will “expose our children and future leaders to different viewpoints,” according to the bill text. 

Additionally, the text reads, “selection and use of pronouns in classrooms, on campuses, and elsewhere is a matter of free speech and academic freedom because it communicates a message on a matter of public concern and shapes classroom discussions and debates.” 

What some see as a way to protect teachers from going against their personal beliefs, others see as a way to silence trans and nonconforming students. 

Sen. Greg Leding (D-Fayetteville) spoke against the bill. He said, “We potentially risk outing these vulnerable children to their parents and peers against their will,” and later said  he believes that is the bill’s intention.

Lawmakers say this is an effort to shield teachers and other school employees at all levels of public education from negative consequences if they don’t use students’ preferred pronouns. 

“We’re not going to do these things behind the parent’s back,” Johnson said. “And we are not going to punish teachers who in their heart sincerely believe that they could not in good conscience call someone by a pronoun that’s not who they really are.” 

While this will likely be an issue for high school students, some think the bill will barely affect college students. 

Jeremy Gillam, Director of Governmental Affairs and External Relations at the University of Central Arkansas, believes UCA will be fine. 

“It predominantly pertains to minors. Given that the vast majority of our student population is 18 and above, this bill would not apply to them,” Gillam said. 

As of Jan. 23, there were 13 students under 18 enrolled at UCA, according to the UCA registrar records. 

Gillam said that most students currently enrolled are well-known by their professors, and he assumes most professors will continue to address them the same way they have been. 

“Professors mainly go by last names anyways. I don’t think this will be a big issue on our campus,” Gillam said. 

He says he feels for the ones who will be affected the most, and he hopes schools have smooth transitions once the bill goes into effect.