NORTH TEXAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed a federal civil rights complaint on Thursday against the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Keller ISD over alleged Title IX violations.
The complaint against the academy is on behalf of a Fort Worth family with a transgender nonbinary child who was banned from joining the prestigious Singing Girls of Texas choir despite the choir director’s support of the student’s participation.
In a statement, the ACLU of Texas said the student was not allowed to complete the audition and the school board passed a new choir eligibility policy that forces students to perform with the choir that aligns with their sex assigned at birth.
Keller ISD has been named in the complaint for its wave of policies critics say target LGBTQIA+ students.
On June 28, the school board voted to enact a “Faculty Standards” policy which banned transgender and nonbinary students from using restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.
Teachers are also not allowed to refer to students by their preferred pronouns.
“It is deeply disappointing that these North Texas school boards have targeted their transgender, nonbinary, and intersex students, who just want to feel as though they belong,” said ACLU of Texas attorney Chloe Kempf. “They’ve enacted policies depriving students of books that reflect their experiences. They’ve banned students from using the facilities and from participating in the activities that align with who they are, all the while subjecting them to harassment and bullying.
Last November, the ACLU of Texas filed a sex discrimination complaint against Keller ISD, alleging that the district discriminated against the LGQTQIA+ community via its bans on library material that showcase what the policy calls “gender fluidity” for students.
The legal non-profit argues these policies go against federal law. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in March 2021, which clarifies the Department of Education policy that all students should be guaranteed an educational environment free from discrimination on the bases of sex, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kempf said once a complaint has been filed, the federal government will work with schools to help implement changes in compliance with Title IX.
“They go the school and say ‘we encourage you to work with us and fix the problems that you’ve caused’,” she said.
If found in violation and subsequent non-compliance to implement suggested changes, schools could lose federal funding.
The ACLU of Texas said it’s urging the federal government to take action before these type of policies expand any further.
“We urge the federal government to intervene and end these clearly discriminatory policies before they can further harm and stigmatize LGBTQIA+ students. No matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or religion, all students deserve to learn in an inclusive and welcoming educational environment,” said the statement.
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