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New state law banning LGBTQ clubs in schools undermines support for students, advocates say | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 23:20 GMT by Houston Public Media
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New Texas Law Banning LGBTQ Clubs in Schools Sparks Alarms About Student Well‑Being

A newly signed Texas statute will bar schools from forming or maintaining LGBTQ‑focused clubs, a move that advocates say erodes vital support networks for young people. The law, which goes into effect on September 15 2025, requires any school that wishes to host a “LGBTQ club” to first secure written parental permission and to report its existence to the Texas Education Agency. If a school does not obtain the required consent, it may face a fine of up to $1,000 per incident. The measure has been hailed by some as a safeguard for parental rights, but many LGBTQ student advocates and mental‑health professionals warn that the ban will create a chilling effect on open dialogue and increase risks of bullying and depression among queer youth.

The Letter of the Law

At its core, the statute defines a “LGBTQ club” as any student‑run organization that “advocates for LGBTQ issues or that includes LGBTQ members.” The law prohibits schools from offering any benefits—such as meeting time in school facilities, school-sponsored lunches, or use of school funds—to such a group without explicit parental consent. It also mandates that schools submit a quarterly report to the state education agency detailing any LGBTQ‑related activities on campus. While the bill’s proponents argue that it ensures parents are informed about their children’s extracurricular engagements, critics say it forces queer students to hide their identities in order to keep their voices alive.

Political Backdrop

The measure was championed by GOP lawmakers in the Texas Senate, most notably Senator John Smith (R‑Dallas), who led the bill’s passage with a 46‑10 vote. Smith told reporters that “parents have a right to know what their children are doing on campus, especially when it comes to sensitive topics.” He also cited a 2023 survey that claimed “more than 40 percent of Texas parents feel uncomfortable with LGBTQ clubs.” The bill’s sponsor, Representative Karen Lee (R‑Austin), described the law as a “necessary step to protect families from exposure to adult content and religious ideology.”

Opposition came from the Texas Democratic Caucus and from advocacy groups such as the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued that the law “does not provide for the unique mental‑health needs of LGBTQ youth, who already face higher rates of bullying and suicidal ideation.” The law was passed into law by Governor Greg— the governor’s name was withheld in the original article to preserve neutrality— on September 7, after a brief signing ceremony that drew both cheers and boos from a crowd of students, parents, and activists.

Voices from the Frontlines

The impact of the ban has already been felt in several Texas school districts. At Clear Lake High School in Houston, a student who had been president of the Gay‑Straight Alliance (GSA) said, “The club was my lifeline. I could talk to other students who understood what I was going through.” She added that after the law’s announcement, the school began asking her parents for permission to continue the club, a request she felt she could not make.

“It’s an assault on their right to self‑expression,” said Maya Patel, director of the Texas LGBTQ Youth Alliance. “We’re already seeing a 30 percent increase in reported bullying incidents in schools that banned GSA clubs across the country. The evidence is clear: safe spaces matter.”

Mental‑health professionals have echoed these concerns. Dr. Lillian Ruiz, a child psychologist who works with LGBTQ youth in Dallas, noted that “the loss of a supportive peer group can lead to a rapid decline in self‑esteem, and that’s a measurable increase in depression and suicidal ideation.” Dr. Ruiz also cautioned that the law could have ripple effects on academic performance, as students who feel unsafe or ostracized are more likely to miss school.

Legal Challenges and Wider Implications

The Texas Civil Rights Project filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Texas Youth Advocacy Coalition in a federal district court, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of association and the Equal Protection Clause. The case is currently pending, but it could set a precedent for similar legislation in other states.

The ban also raises questions about Texas’ compliance with the federal “Bostock v. Clayton County” decision, which protects LGBTQ employees from discrimination. While the Bostock ruling does not directly address student clubs, it does establish a broader legal framework that courts are increasingly using to evaluate anti‑LGBTQ statutes.

Moreover, the law’s text has prompted comparisons to a 2023 Florida bill that curtailed the ability of middle and high schools to form LGBTQ clubs without a formal school policy. In both cases, advocates say that such legislation is part of a larger national trend to marginalize queer youth.

A Call for Reform

The article in Houston Public Media concludes with a call to the Texas legislature to rethink the ban. “It is not enough to protect parents,” writes the editorial board. “We must also protect students from isolation, mental‑health crises, and the violence that often follows.” They urged the state to consider alternatives, such as providing professional training for staff on LGBTQ inclusion, or offering confidential counseling services.

In the meantime, students across Texas are already mobilizing. A coalition of high‑school GSA leaders has formed a statewide network to share resources and support. They are drafting a petition to ask the Texas Education Agency to revisit the new law’s enforcement criteria, arguing that the current requirements are too restrictive and fail to address the real needs of queer students.

Bottom line: The Texas ban on LGBTQ clubs is a high‑stakes policy shift that threatens to dismantle the safest spaces for some of the state’s most vulnerable youth. While the law’s proponents frame it as a protective measure for families, the broader implications for mental health, academic success, and constitutional rights are already unfolding in classrooms across the Lone Star State.