AUSTIN, Texas (LifeSiteNews) — The Austin Independent School District violated state education law for creating a Pride Week-themed curriculum, according to a letter from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“Today, I sent a letter to @AustinISD for their curriculum and lesson plans that constitute ‘human sexuality instruction’ governed by state law,” AG Paxton announced on Tuesday. “The Texas Legislature has made it clear that when it comes to sex education, parents — not school districts — are in charge.”
Today, I sent a letter to @AustinISD for their curriculum and lesson plans that constitute “human sexuality instruction” governed by state law.
The Texas Legislature has made it clear that when it comes to sex education, parents—not school districts—are in charge. pic.twitter.com/pVZ4Sj8GMF
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) March 22, 2022
The letter, addressed to Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde, warned her that her district is in violation of the Texas Education Code, which requires parental consent for “human sexuality instruction.”
“As you know, your curriculum and lesson plans deal head-on with sexual orientation and gender identity — topics that unmistakably constitute ‘human sexuality instruction.’ This is plain from the public description of the events your district has provided,” the letter stated. It also criticized “off-the-record public instruction … concerning controversial and sensitive gender-and-sexuality issues.”
“By hosting ‘Pride Week,’ your district has, at best, undertaken a week-long instructional effort in human sexuality without parental consent,” the letter stated. “Or, worse, your district is cynically pushing a week-long indoctrination of your students that not only fails to obtain parental consent, but subtly cuts parents out of the loop. Either way, you are breaking state law.”
Paxton encouraged parents to file grievances with the school board or Texas Education Agency.
“I want all our LGBTQIA+ students to know that we are proud of them and that we will protect them against political attacks,” Superintendent Elizalde wrote on Twitter in response.
I want all our LGBTQIA+ students to know that we are proud of them and that we will protect them against political attacks. https://t.co/fNGiaoNM3q
— Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde (@AustinISDsupt) March 23, 2022
Elizalde’s schools have gone all in on ensuring children are taught about homosexuality.
Doss Elementary School, one of Austin’s pre-K through 5th grade schools, hosted a “pride parade,” according to the Post Millennial. Students were originally told not to share anything discussed in “community circles.”
The Twitter account “Libs of Tik Tok” first brought the parade and curriculum to light, which may have caught the attention of Paxton, who retweeted the account after it thanked him for the letter.
How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/XcFm2sPqfb
— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) March 23, 2022
But the school district did not try to hide all its LGBT celebrations.
“Each campus will receive an inspiration guide of suggested activities for PRIDE Week. Campuses are encouraged to plan activities that engage, educate and inspire,” Austin ISD announced. “If you have any questions regarding planning activities or for assistance in selecting resources that best fit your school community, please contact your campus GSA coordinator or campus counselor.”
The celebration ends this Saturday with a “Pride Party in the Park.”
Paxton has also announced that kids subjected to puberty blockers and “sex change” operations should be treated as victims of child abuse. A Texas court temporarily halted the state from investigating the hormone injections and surgeries as child abuse.