Judge stops Texas school districts banning LGBTQ+ clubs
A Texas bill which bars schools from supporting LGBTQ+ clubs has been axed (Canva)
In a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in Texas, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of SB 12.
SB 12 was the first law in the US explicitly banning LGBTQ+ student clubs.
It also restricted diversity initiatives in public schools and banned teachers from referring to trans students by their preferred names, even if their parents supported their child’s transition.
US District Judge Charles Eskridge ruled that the Houston, Plano, and Katy school districts could not enforce the law, which was criticised by lawmakers like state Rep. Erin Zwiener for being “nakedly hateful”.
The bill’s proponents claimed it was necessary to protect children from perceived sexualisation, while the opposition argued it unfairly censored constitutionally protected speech and undermines the safety and inclusivity of schools.
The lawsuit, brought by various advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Texas and the Transgender Law Center, has highlighted the importance of Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in fostering supportive environments for LGBTQ+ youth.
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