Republican lawmakers in Missouri and Tennessee are currently defending the introduction of  controversial bills to ban the teaching of anything gay in schools.

Known as the "Don't Say Gay" Bills, the legislation would prohibit teachers from any discussion of homosexuality in public school instruction, material and extra-curricular activity, unless used in regards to reproductive science.

The Missouri bill was proposed by Rep. Steve Cookson and is co-sponsored by the most influential House leaders, including Speaker Steven Tilley, R - Perryville and Leader Tim Jones R- St. Louis County.

Missouri representatives insist they introduced the bill to protect public school students from inappropriate class instruction related to sexual orientation. In a news release, Rep. Cookson said the purpose of the bill is to focus solely on core education issues and not on topics better left for discussion in the home, at the discretion of parents.

Tennessee legislators have been debating a similar proposal, with the House Education Committee recently voting 8-7 to advance the bill.

“I have two children - in the third- and fourth-grade - and don’t want them to be exposed to things I don’t agree with,” said the bill's sponsor, Republican representative Joey Hensley, according to the Tennessean.

Opponents point out that the bill would actively prevent teachers from discussing Supreme Court Case involving gay rights, nor would they able to address bullying and discrimination as a result of sexual orientation.