The state of Utah is denying it has anti-gay school laws as it defends against a court challenge to rules that restrict talk about homosexuality in the classroom.
State attorneys say in court documents filed Thursday the suit selectively quotes from the rules, which don't contain the phrase "anti-gay laws."
The National Center for Lesbian Rights argues the ban on so-called advocacy of homosexuality stigmatizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, including a kindergarten boy bullied for wearing dresses.
They say the boy's mother was told the law barred administrators from telling other kids it's OK for boys to wear girls' clothes.
The state says officials did address the problem and developed a safety plan.
Several states have similar laws. The Utah suit marked the first challenge since the U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling.
