DALLAS (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for an “end” to gender nonconforming behavior by teachers at the Texas Young Conservatives convention in Dallas on April 19, according to reports. Audio released to KXAN by Texas Observer reporter Stephen Monacelli.
In Abbott's keynote address, the governor mentioned a Louisville ISD teacher who went viral for wearing a pink dress for Spirit Day.
“In Lewisville, Texas…just a month ago, a high school teacher, a man, was coming to school dressed as a woman, wearing a dress, high heels, and makeup,” Abbott said at a news conference. “That person…is trying to normalize that this behavior is okay!” It's not okay! ”
He went on to say that “this behavior” is something “we want to end in Texas” and that he feels it will be a distraction to students.
Hebron High School students asked their teacher to wear the costumes to a Spirit Day event in February, KXAS reported. The teacher said in a statement that she resigned to remove attention from the school following “hateful comments” online. Louisville ISD told her KXAS that the teacher did not violate any school rules.
Mr. Abbott did not define that behavior, or attire that does not align with the governor's views on gender or, more broadly, on LGBTQ+ teachers. KXAN has asked the governor's office for clarification, but has not yet received a response.
“The concept will be relevant to people who are gender nonconforming or have a more fluid gender identity,” Monacelli said in an interview with KXAN. “The audience erupted in applause in response to Mr. Abbott's comments about how he wants to end the practice of people expressing their gender identities in ways that do not correspond to the traditional binaries he espouses. ”
Mr Abbott followed up on this anecdote by calling for state funding for the voucher system.
“If you had a child in that classroom, would you want to be able to say, 'Wait a minute?'” Monacelli said, “I would not send my child to that classroom.” . “You think that's right? It's not…We tried to get school choice passed in regular session and special session after special session.”
Monacelli said the speech wasn't the first time Abbott used Louisville teachers as an example.
“I think banning gender non-conforming teachers could become a legislative priority,” Monacelli said. “I think this movie targets certain people who are intolerant towards the LGBTQ community due to their religious values or social values. I think Governor Abbott is conveying this message when he says this is why we need school choice.”
LGBTQ+ educators respond
Transgender and gender nonconforming Texas educators responded anonymously to KXAN about Abbott's speech.
“This goes against all the rights that so many people fought for and died to protect,” said an Austin ISD educator. “Our Constitution is built on the ideas of liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness in life. These laws are in direct contradiction to this. Our nation is founded on diversity and freedom. It is un-American to take away that.”
One transgender private school teacher said the governor's comments made her want to move her family from the state they've called home for more than a decade, but she wouldn't otherwise want to leave.
“Education is the only career that I have been successful in and truly cherished. I love getting to know students and families individually and watching them learn new things and grow as people,” they say. I did.
Another LGBTQ+ teacher in Central Texas said Abbott's comments made them “disgusted and angry.”
“I think Abbott's comments are ridiculous and dangerous,” the teacher said. “I believe that banning educators who are transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming is not only a violation of their rights, but also a great disservice to students across the state of Texas.”
In a statement, the LGBTQ+ education nonprofit GLSEN called Abbott's comments “a shameful manifestation of his ongoing strategy to weaponize state power against transgender and gender nonconforming people.”
“His attempts to 'end' gender expression in the classroom reek of bigotry and ignorance,” said GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers. “Despite his hateful efforts, LGBTQ+ employees are protected from workplace discrimination under federal law. As with most other bills, we have full confidence that it will meet a just death in the face of constitutional challenges.”
GLSEN encourages Texas teachers to join the Educator Network for support and resources.
State conservatives express support
Monacelli's post reporting on the governor's speech drew supportive and sometimes hateful responses from other conservative voices in Texas.
State Republican Executive Committeeman Rolando Garcia pushed back Regarding the Monacelli feature, Abbott called for a teacher ban and expressed support for the governor's statement.
“He's not even proposing to ban someone from teaching, just not allowing them to dress up and play in the classroom. It's surprising that this is even controversial.” Garcia wrote.
Texas Republican Party Chairman Matt Rinaldi and Tarrant County Republican Chairman Beau French Both are “exactly right,” Abbott said.
Texas Rep. Brisco Cain (R-Harris County) commented, “Perverts should not be teachers.”
In response to his inflammatory comments, Cain sent a letter to Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Moras on Thursday, urging Moras to “redefine 'gender' to include 'gender identity.' ” asked the state superintendent to ignore federal law.
“These proposed changes to Title IX would likely conflict with existing state law,” the lawmakers wrote. “Now is not the time to wait for legislation to be passed that will allow Texas to avoid having to take a position on this issue.”
Such restrictions would likely violate both the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause and the Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. The decision determined that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects workers from job discrimination related to a worker's sexual orientation or gender identity.
In his ruling, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote, “An employer who fires an individual for being gay or transgender is also firing the individual for characteristics or behavior that would not be an issue for a person of the opposite sex.'' I will do it,” he said. “Sex plays a necessary and undeniable role in decisions, which is exactly what Title VII forbids.”
“It is the clear intention of the governor and Republican leaders to publicly call for total discrimination, regardless of legislation,” Monacelli said. “I think that's very disturbing for anyone who cares about civil rights in this country.”
