Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning LGBTQ Student Clubs

This is really hideous. The Republican-controlled Texas legislature on Saturday passed a bill that would ban school clubs that support gay teens.

Democrats condemned the legislation saying it endangers LGBTQ kids – who are just looking for a safe space to be themselves – and strips them of their dignity.

From the Texas Tribune:

Senate Bill 12, authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, won final legislative passage Saturday after lawmakers in both chambers adopted the conference committee reports that specifically clarified that schools will be banned from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Backers proclaimed that the bill enshrines a parent’s rights and puts the parent not just at the table, but at the head of the table where the child’s best interests are decided.

They also targeted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, claiming that they project ideologies on students and put too much focus on race, sexuality and gender identity instead of the quality of education.

The linked article includes several excellent statements made by House Democrats during the bill’s debate including lawmakers whose own family members found belonging in these clubs.

Rep. Gene Wu of Houston: “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.”

Rep. Rafael Anchía, whose daughter was vice president of an LGBTQ club at her school, stressed (in an excellent speech) that these clubs “are no more about sex than 4-H or ROTC or the basketball team.”

“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.”

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk. If signed, the new law would take effect September 1.

When I served on the DISD school board over 20 years ago, we put policies in place to protect LGBTQ kids because they were being beaten, harassed, and called names.

Pride clubs formed because students needed a safe place. These clubs — like 4H, ROTC, or basketball — exist to… pic.twitter.com/vYfITN0qtq — Rafael Anchía (@RafaelAnchia) June 1, 2025