• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs
  • Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo
  • Jazz Jennings Admits ‘Nervous’ Remark From Date Left Her Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ In New Sneak Peek

Texas School Board Caves To Anti-Gay Bigots, Nixes Vote On LGBT Protections: VIDEO

John Wright August 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 6.58.38 AM

Apparently succumbing to intense pressure from anti-LGBT bigots, a Texas school board canceled a vote Thursday on LGBT protections.

Yesterday, we told you how the school board in Keller, a conservative suburb of Fort Worth, was set to consider new policies prohibiting discrimination and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression for students, faculty and staff. The proposed changes were initiated by high school student Casey Akers, after administrators at her high school prevented her from making a “promposal” to another girl, saying it was “inappropriate.”

But anti-LGBT bigots, including Keller resident and Fox News host Glenn Beck, as well as a local tea party group, mounted a furious campaign in opposition to the proposed policies. And on Tuesday afternoon, just hours before the meeting, Superintendent Randy Reid issued a statement saying the items had been pulled from the agenda:

Reid“Over the last few days the administration has received a significant amount of input regarding the proposed language changes related to the KISD’s anti-discrimination policies. There have been many passionate pleas on both sides of the issue from parents, community members, and current and former students. The District’s sole intent in recommending the proposed changes was to ensure that all of our students feel protected by our policy language. The issue has become extremely polarizing, with the great potential of creating feelings of winners and losers. This was certainly not the intention of the District, as we strive to teach our students that by working together we can usually solve even the most challenging issues. …

“While this set of policies went through our normal review process the responses we have received have convinced us that many of our constituents may have inaccurate perceptions regarding the purpose and impact of these proposed changes. Therefore, to better educate the public and continue seeking solutions that clearly identify our desire to protect all students and make them feel safe, we will pull this item from the agenda. …

“Let me be clear, in Keller ISD we will continue our efforts to ensure that ALL our students are not only protected from harassment and discrimination, but that they also feel they are in a safe and welcoming educational environment. If policy language changes are determined to be needed for that to occur, they will be brought forth for the Board’s consideration.”

Although the vote was canceled, Thursday’s meeting was standing-room-only, and 30 people signed up to speak, according to The Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, with two-thirds of them opposing the changes:

Several speakers who oppose the change said similar policies in other states had resulted in transgender restrooms and explicit sex education for all students. A few quoted the Bible.

Some of those who support the change cited statistics on suicide and depression rates among LGBT teens. …

Akers, a junior at Timber Creek, said Thursday that she is disappointed the school board delayed action on the policy.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this meeting, and now we have to wait even longer,” Akers said.

Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 7.12.18 AMAccording to a video from the meeting posted by the Star-Telegram, one man opposed to the changes was wearing an American flag shirt as well as a button with a cross on it that said, “Christians for Cruz 2016.” Here’s part of what he told the board:

“My question is, what ever happened to reading, writing, arithmetic, science and history, and producing a well-rounded student that can take care of themselves? Since when did the school board take it on itself to impose the moral decay?”

Akers herself also addressed the board:

“I’m not feminine, and it’s no secret, either, but when my English teacher makes the remark how I don’t look very feminine today, and how my parents raised me wrong, it makes it very obvious to my parents that I am different as well.

“The LGBT community is here to stay, and we do not need fear, we need equality. We’re not a cancer in our community. We are your children, and we will not just suck it up, and we do not exist to be cut out or discarded. We are here to learn and be nurtured. And if you vote no to protecting all these students, I hope you can wake up tomorrow and look yourself in the mirror, and tell yourself that you don’t want a better future for your grandkids.”

Topics: Education, History More Posts About: bullying, Fort Worth, gay rights, Gay youth, LGBT Rights, Texas

Related Posts
  • Mormons Gay Marriage Shift is NOT Support For Marriage Equality; Slimy Attempt to Undermine Civil Rights, Legalize Discrimination By Churches
  • Texas Republicans’ Platform Calls Your LGBTQ Life an “Abnormal Lifestyle Choice”; Declares Biden Election Illegitimate, Despite Evidence;
  • Idaho, Alabama, Wisconsin Advance Anti-Trans Youth Bills, Including Life In Prison Punishment For Providing Puberty Blockers
  • Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

    Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

    Published by OK Magazine mega Tom Brady‘s latest sultry snap has fans drooling. On Monday, February 6, the legendary quarterback took to his Instagram Story to tease his 13.4 million followers with a stripped-down mirror selfie. …Read More »
  • Jazz Jennings Admits ‘Nervous’ Remark From Date Left Her Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ In New Sneak Peek

    Jazz Jennings Admits ‘Nervous’ Remark From Date Left Her Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ In New Sneak Peek

    Published by OK Magazine TLC Jazz Jennings has entered the dating pool — which has turned out to be more of a rocky, dating dance. In the sneak peek of the Tuesday, February 6, episode of …Read More »
  • Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people

    Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people

    Published by Global Voices A screenshot of Google maps (Jakarta). Composed by Sydney Allen via Canva Global Voices has extensively cataloged the pressures, violence, hate speech, and oppression queer people face all over the world. Whether …Read More »
  • Pro-LGBTQ Christian school forced to close after being ‘bombarded by hate’

    Pro-LGBTQ Christian school forced to close after being ‘bombarded by hate’

    Published by Raw Story A Christian school in Kansas City is being forced to close after its donations almost completely dried up ever since it came out in support of LGBTQ rights. The Kansas City Star …Read More »
Previous Post: « WATCH: Dramatic Dashcam Footage Captures Tianjin Port Explosions
Next Post: Can You Guess Which Out Athlete’s Beefcake Backside This Is? »

Primary Sidebar

Adjacent News

  • Ivanka Trump ‘Doesn’t Trust’ Donald Trump Jr.’s Fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, Claims Insider: ‘Sees Her As A Desperate Social Climber’

    Ivanka Trump ‘Doesn’t Trust’ Donald Trump Jr.’s Fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, Claims Insider: ‘Sees Her As A Desperate Social Climber’

  • A Secret Weapon in Preventing the Next Pandemic: Fruit Bats

    A Secret Weapon in Preventing the Next Pandemic: Fruit Bats

  • Explainer-Biden’s State of the Union address and what to expect

    Explainer-Biden’s State of the Union address and what to expect

Good Trash: Going to Read It Somewhere, Y'know

  • ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

    ‘At Least You Know I’m Singing Live’: Adele FORGETS The Lyrics To Her Award-Winning Song At Las Vegas Residency Before Grammys

  • ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

    ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director SLAMS Michael Jackson Biopic Starring Late King Of Pop’s Nephew, Claiming It Will ‘Glorify A Pedophile’

  • Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

    Sarah Michelle Gellar reveals Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton’s ‘little known’ Buffy the Vampire Slayer role

RSS Partner Links

  • Biden Blanks Santos, Romney Upbraids Him At SOTU: YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED
  • Ashley Benson Is Officially Dating Oil Heir & Music Manager Brandon Davis
  • The ‘unpopular’ Sussexes ‘aren’t considered for high-profile events’ in America
  • “What if it’s not awkwardness, what if Ashton Kutcher just smells bad” links
  • Michelle Obama Tells Dem: Take My Face Out Of Your Ads
  • Emmy winner Billy Porter speaks out on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: “Please get tested”
  • Joan Didion Lived -- and Died -- Here

Most Recent

  • Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

    Dexter Origins confirmed with plans for more serial killer spin offs

  • Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

    Retired, Single & Sexy! Tom Brady Holds His Hand Over His Private Parts In Nearly Nude Selfie — See Photo

  • Jazz Jennings Admits ‘Nervous’ Remark From Date Left Her Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ In New Sneak Peek

    Jazz Jennings Admits ‘Nervous’ Remark From Date Left Her Feeling ‘Uncomfortable’ In New Sneak Peek

  • Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people

    Queering the internet: anonymous online spaces for LGBTQ+ people

  • Pro-LGBTQ Christian school forced to close after being ‘bombarded by hate’

    Pro-LGBTQ Christian school forced to close after being ‘bombarded by hate’

  • Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ may prefer death to life under Taliban

    Afghanistan’s LGBTQ+ may prefer death to life under Taliban

  • Hogwarts Legacy seemingly adds first transgender Harry Potter character

    Hogwarts Legacy seemingly adds first transgender Harry Potter character

  • Grammy Awards: Men’s fashion steals the red carpet in stereotype-shattering style

    Grammy Awards: Men’s fashion steals the red carpet in stereotype-shattering style

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

×