Texas School District Adopts Antigay, Anti-Trans Policies

A school district in northern Texas has adopted a policy restricting the discussion of sexual orientation, gender identity, and race in classrooms.

Only 72 hours before the Monday board vote, the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District -- located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area -- released a 36-page document of proposed policies to be implemented for the upcoming school year, the Texas Observer reports. The policies prohibit teachers from discussing "gender fluidity" with students and restrict other topics, such as banning talk of sexual orientation and gender identity until after fifth grade.

They also allow teachers to refuse to use students' preferred pronouns, even if their parents approve, and bar trans students from using the multi-occupancy restrooms and changing rooms consistent with their gender identity, alhough schools could make other accommodations, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Among the proposed policies are restrictions on which books to allow in classrooms and libraries, banning anything that contains "inappropriate material." What the board deems "inappropriate material" is vague, with the document defining it as "patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors."

The section on gender fluidity reads, "For purposes of this policy, 'Gender Fluidity' means any theory or ideology that (1) espouses the view that biological sex is merely a social construct, (2) espouses the view that it is possible for a person to be any gender or none (i.e. non-binary) based solely on that person's feelings or preferences, or (3) espouses the view that an individual's biological sex should be changed to 'match' a self-believed gender that is different from the person's biological sex."

The policies also ban the teaching of anything "connected" to critical race theory, a concept used in higher education to frame discussions of systemic racism. Far-right activists have adopted this term as a way to characterize any reference to American racism, and they claim lessons on racism instill guilt in white students unnecessarily. The board said this policy would ensure the district complies with a state ban on the teaching of critical race theory, but the American Civil Liberties Union's Texas affiliate contends it goes well beyond what is required by the state.

In response to the document, over 200 community members signed up to speak during the Monday meeting's public comment period, including representatives of ultraconservative groups such as True Texas Project, Protect Texas Kids, and the John Birch Society. Testimony lasted nearly four hours, with students, parents, alumni, and outside activists each being given only 60 seconds to make their statements.

One student spoke up about how they were forced to transfer school districts due to the "culture of fear" created by the board's four conservative members.

"I transferred to another district this year because of the culture of fear you continue to create," the student said, according to the Observer. "I am part of the LGBTQ+ community, as are many of my friends that remain in the GCISD schools. The policies you are proposing are putting them in danger."

Comments were all over the lot, including a homophobic rant from one man. "Fight like hell, hold the line against the LGBT mafia and their dang pedo fans. Keep winning. You know what, keep the winning, they can keep the monkeypox," he said.

While the board did not issue a warning to him, another attendee was eventually ejected for applauding those opposed to the policies.

After statements from the public, trustees were only allowed three minutes to comment. One member, Jorge Rodriguez, shared his opposition to the proposal.

"Now we have a war against librarians, a war against LGTBQ+ students and teachers, and that is why I'm voting against these policies," he said. "These board meetings have just become headquarters for political campaigns instead of focusing on what we are here to do, which is to help students succeed."

But in the end, all of the policies passed in a 4-3 vote.