Affected Texas organizations and families filed a lawsuit against the law that bans programs and discussions on race, gender identity and sexual orientation in all public schools in the state, considering it one of the most extreme educational censorship measures in the United States.
Affected organizations and families have filed a lawsuit challenging a law that bans programs and discussions related to race, gender identity and sexual orientation in all Texas public schools as one of the most extreme educational censorship measures in the United States.
Texas sued over SB-12
The lawsuit seeks to block Senate Bill 12 (SB-12), which was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, last June and has already begun to be implemented, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas (ACLU) reported today.
SB-12 eliminates a wide range of activities that foster inclusion from preschool through high school seniors and promote equal opportunity, including events that celebrate Latino, Black, Asian and Native American history.
In addition, the law prohibits trainings on cultural awareness and inclusion, and conversations between students, parents and educators on issues related to race, gender identity and sexual orientation, the ACLU warns in a statement.
The Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a teacher, a student and a parent are leading the legal challenge to the measure, which they believe has become one of the most extreme educational censorship laws in the country and undermines the free speech rights of students, parents and educators in the state.
The law “is a blatant attempt to erase the identity of students and silence the stories that make Texas strong,” stated Brian Klosterboer, senior counsel for the ACLU of Texas.
“We are challenging this law because our schools should be spaces of truth, inclusion and opportunity, not fear and exclusion,” he added.
The complaint, filed by the ACLU, the Transgender Law Center and the law firm Baker McKenzie, asserts that SB-12 also threatens the safety and privacy of transgender and non-binary students in Texas schools by making it significantly more difficult for educators to support them.
The law completely bans clubs such as Gender and Sexualities Alliances (formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliances, GSA), which promote a safe, welcoming and tolerant school environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In addition, the measure prevents students from receiving information on gender identity or sexual orientation in all grades.
The law’s restrictions apply not only to classroom learning, but also to after-school programs, field trips and informal guidance provided by parents, volunteers and school employees.
The plaintiffs also filed a motion for an injunction requesting a preliminary injunction blocking the law while the case is pending.
Estamos impugnando esta ley porque nuestras escuelas deberían ser espacios de verdad, inclusión y oportunidades, no de miedo y exclusión
Brian Klosterboer, abogado de UCLA en Texas
With information from Agencia Efe
