Texas lawmakers have advanced legislation that bans public K-12 schools from sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity, drawing sharp criticism from Democratic legislators and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Senator Brandon Creighton, passed its final hurdle in the Texas House on Saturday and is now poised for the governor’s signature.
Newsweek has contacted Senator Brandon Creighton via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The bill’s passage marks a significant escalation in Texas’ ongoing campaign against what conservatives describe as ideological indoctrination in education, however critics argue the ban endangers children and strips them of their dignity.
The legislation would specifically bar schools from authorizing or sponsoring LGBTQ+ student clubs and is part of a broader legislative push that has also targeted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K-12 settings.
What To Know
Alongside banning LGBTQ+ school clubs, Senate Bill 12, often dubbed the “Parental Bill of Rights,” gives parents expanded authority over what clubs their children can join.
The bill emphasizes that parents have a fundamental right to direct their child’s education and upbringing, including decisions on moral, religious, medical, and psychological matters.
It prohibits public schools from “infringing” on those rights unless required to serve a compelling state interest.
The bill bans instruction, programming, or activities related to sexual orientation or gender identity in all grades, pre-K through 12. Schools are barred from allowing third-party groups to deliver such content as well.
SB 12 also explicitly bans any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) responsibilities for school employees unless mandated by state or federal law.
It defines DEI broadly to include hiring practices, training programs, or any special treatment based on race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
What People Are Saying
State Senator Brandon Creighton said in a statement: “Passing the Texas Education Freedom Act sends a message to all of Texas. It tells the
next generation of Texas leaders: your path should fit your purpose—your ambition is greater than any system. It tells our educators that innovation and excellence will be encouraged—not limited by ZIP code. And it tells every parent in Texas: you are trusted, you are respected, and you are in charge.”
“The future of Texas begins in the classroom. Too often, we get lost in the debates about systems and budgets and programs. Not today—today, we are focused on the child at the center of it all. The one who needs a hand up, a better fit, or simply a chance.”
Democratic State Representative Gene Wu said during the debate, according to The Texas Tribune: “The real monsters are not kids trying to figure out who they are. The monsters are not the teachers who love them and encourage them and support them. They are not the books that provide them with some amount of comfort and information. The real monsters are here.”
Democratic State Representative Rafael Anchía, said, according to The Texas Tribune: “It wasn’t a sex club. They’d get together and they’d watch movies. They’d color. They’d go to musicals. It was about a kid who felt weird who found her people and everything about it was good. I don’t know why grown-ups in this body are so triggered with my daughter getting together with her classmates in a school-sponsored activity.”
Democratic State Representative Jolanda Jones, said, according to The Texas Tribune: “We’ve passed bill after bill about access to care, about youth suicide, about prevention and treatment. But this bill makes kids sicker, sadder, more alone. This bill doesn’t protect children. It endangers them. It doesn’t give parents more rights. It strips children of their dignity.”
What Happens Next
Passed by both chambers, the bill awaits the signature of Governor Greg Abbott. If enacted, the rules would take effect from September 1, 2025, and Texas would join a growing number of Republican-led states that have passed similar restrictions on school activities and curriculum related to LGBTQ+ identities.
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