Lamar Consolidated ISD has joined other Texas school districts in revising its educational materials policies by removing and restricting books on gender fluidity. After a 5-1 trustee vote on Tuesday, the district decided to remove all materials in elementary, middle, and junior high libraries that are “adopting, supporting or promoting gender fluidity.” High school libraries will restrict such materials, requiring parental opt-in for student access, as reported by abc13.
According to the same report, the policy changes aim to “strengthen” and “align” with Texas’ House Bill 900, according to board President Zach Lambert, who said the policy is meant to set boundaries. While the bill doesn’t specifically mention gender identity materials, the district interprets it as addressing books deemed “sexually explicit” or “inappropriate.”
Katy ISD, another Houston-area district, is also considering a similar ban on books about gender fluidity. This follows a 2023 rule limiting staff from discussing gender issues with students, which has led to a federal civil rights investigation, as reported by Houston Public Media.
The policy revisions at Lamar CISD have sparked mixed reactions. Trustee Kay Danziger, the only one to vote against the changes, expressed concern that the policy could limit discussions on non-traditional families. She emphasized the importance of teaching about family diversity. In contrast, Jacci Hotzel, Policy Committee chair, clarified that the policy aims to limit discussions on gender identity, not family composition.
Amanda Rose, president of Katy Pride, criticizes the policies for targeting and marginalizing trans and non-binary students, a concern shared by many advocacy groups. Despite the backlash, Katy ISD’s school board, led by President Victor Perez, maintains that the policy respects parental authority while helping teachers navigate gender-related issues.
This post was originally published on here
