Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law two bills passed by the Alabama Legislature on the final day of the 2022 regular session which received widespread criticism from media and the national left.

Senate Bill 184, titled the “Alabama Vulnerable Child Protection Act,” bans the prescription of puberty inhibitors to minors. The legislation, authored by State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville), also bars gender-altering procedures from being performed on minors.

Regarding her approval of the bill, Ivey proclaimed that children should be shielded from such “life-altering” medication and procedures.

“There are very real challenges facing our young people, especially with today’s societal pressures and modern culture,” stated Ivey in a release. “I believe very strongly that if the Good Lord made you a boy, you are a boy, and if he made you a girl, you are a girl. We should especially protect our children from these radical, life-altering drugs and surgeries when they are at such a vulnerable stage in life. Instead, let us all focus on helping them to properly develop into the adults God intended them to be.”

Alabama’s chief executive also signed into law House Bill 322, sponsored by State Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), which instructs public schools to require students to utilize the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender.

Additionally, the bill includes a provision that bars the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity to students in grades K-5 in Alabama public schools.

Liberal opponents and the media have referred to the legislation as Alabama’s version of Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, something to which Ivey takes exception.

“Here in Alabama, men use the men’s room, and ladies use the ladies’ room – it’s really a no brainer,” declared Ivey. “This bill will also ensure our elementary school classrooms remain free from any kind of sex talk. Let me be clear to the media and opponents who like to incorrectly dub this the “Don’t Say Gay” amendment: That is misleading, false and just plain wrong. We don’t need to be teaching young children about sex. We are talking about five-year-olds for crying out loud. We need to focus on what matters – core instruction like reading and math.”

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL