The US state of Alabama has passed a trio of bills, including a mandate to display the Ten Commandments in schools, a ban on LGBT pride flags, and restrictions on gender-related discussions and pronouns.

The proposed legislation, awaiting Senate approval, would require K-12 schools (reception through to year 13, UK) to place the Ten Commandments in entryways or classrooms tied to U.S. history.

“This is about returning foundational principles to schools to be taught,” Rep. Mark Gidley said, a Republican and former pastor who sponsored the bill.

The displays must be at least 11-by-14 inches and include an explanation of the Ten Commandments' influence on Western civilisation, as reported by The Christian Post.

The bill's text highlights that the Commandments contain “civil and municipal” and “moral and religious” values.

Another policy, named House Bill 244, which has also passed, would ban classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation from pre-K through 12th grade and prohibit teachers from using pronouns that differ from a student's biological sex and ban pride flags in classrooms.

In addition, House Bill 67 would bar public schools and libraries from hosting drag performances, while restricting minors from sharing overnight facilities with members of the opposite sex unless related and with parental consent.

The American Civil Liberties Union strongly opposes the move, calling it “unconstitutional, plain and simple". 

The group warned that such policies undermine religious freedom and student safety, they said: “Students can't focus on learning if they don't feel safe and welcome in their schools.”