Education

In the past few years book bans have become increasingly popular. Often these policies are disguised as a way to filter appropriate reading content for young people. However, in practice, the books that are being removed tell the stories of LGBTQIA+ and Black and Brown people.

Despite what politicians say, libraries across the state have carefully sculpted policies that guide decisions about which books are permitted on the shelves. School libraries are tailored to specific reading levels and age-appropriate content. But as with any media, deciding which books a child can read is a family conversation. Different parents may have different barometers for appropriate reading materials—that’s what living in a free country looks like. If parents want to set certain parameters for their children, the burden to do so is on them. It’s not appropriate to censor the options available to all students.

It’s important that reading materials about LGBTQIA+ people be available on school shelves because those stories demonstrate to young people that it is perfectly natural to be queer. Stories about queer lives empower young people to be themselves and preserve the rich history of our community. Every student deserves the chance to see themself reflected in a story. We must defend the freedom to read in the state of Texas.

The minds of young people have been the target of some of the most extreme policies in recent history. In addition to pushes to put “biblical” literature and history in public school curricula, there has been a concerted push to remove stories about LGBTQIA+ lives.

Many LGBTQIA+ people have shaped the course of history, and their stories deserve to be shared with the next generation. Telling those stories demonstrates the power of a self-actualized and confident person. And they show young queer kids that it’s possible to be queer and successful.

For kids that aren’t part of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s also important to learn about the lives and history of the community. Everyone must enter the workforce at some point in life. And in a state as diverse as Texas, it is our duty to prepare young people to embrace the beauty and diversity of their co-workers by teaching them about history that crosses cultures, races, and genders.

Trans people deserve to play sports. Trans women and girls are significantly underrepresented in sports, so we need to be building inclusive policies and programs that encourage trans women to participate. Sports can be a fun, community-building way to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Alienating trans women denies them the physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits of playing sports.

A study from the Center for American Progress shows that women are more likely to participate in sports when trans-inclusive policies are in place. That means that if we want to encourage and protect women’s sports, we should focus on making sports more inclusive.

Safe Spaces are essential for young LGBTQIA+ people. In the wake of a string of political attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, we’ve seen a spike in bullying at Texas schools. Queer kids already face more challenges accessing mental health support, and the political situation compounds their mental anguish. With the tense climate leaking into the school system, it’s more important than ever that young people know which teachers and classrooms provide safe spaces for free expression.

Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs at schools often provide the first affirming community for LGBTQIA+ students. Young people who have even one supportive person in their lives are dramatically less likely to consider suicide. So, these alliances not only offer valuable community support, but effectively operate as a public health tool—decreasing mortality rates of young queer Texans.

Pride events in schools demonstrate to young people that despite what they may have heard on the news or in the streets, queer and trans people are part of their community, deserve respect, and should be celebrated. Pride events put on display the latent support that exists in most Texas communities. During the school year, students may confide in their fellow GSA members or seek support from the teacher with a pride flag displayed,  but during pride month straight, gay, trans, and cisgender students all boldly proclaim their support for the community, empowering young people to start their adult life with confidence in their identity.

Parents play an outsized role in the life of any child. For young people who are unsure how their parents will react, or fear that the reaction might be hostile, coming out is something that needs to happen on the young person’s time-table. Being able to explore pronouns and other harmless facets of gender identity at school give these young people a safe place to explore their identity under the supervision of teachers who are invested in their wellness. Forcing young people to come out before they are ready may cause grave harm to their mental or physical well being. Homelessness disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ young people, largely because they were kicked out of the house after being outed to an unaccepting parent.

Everybody deserves to pee in peace. It’s not complicated. How people dress and look shouldn’t determine where they pee. Each young person must be empowered to use the restroom where they feel most comfortable. Any attempt to regulate or micromanage these decisions necessarily leads to invasive “gender inspections” and other harmful activities that place young people at risk of harassment, exploitation, and even violence.

Everybody deserves to pee in peace. It’s not complicated. How people dress and look shouldn’t determine where they pee. Each young person must be empowered to use the restroom where they feel most comfortable. Any attempt to regulate or micromanage these decisions necessarily leads to invasive “gender inspections” and other harmful activities that place young people at risk of harassment, exploitation, and even violence.