Austin, TX – March 16, 2026: Today, Texas Values sent a letter to Austin ISD advising them that their scheduled Pride Week is against the law. Austin ISD is scheduled to have Pride week March 23-March 27. The letter explains how the scheduled Pride week violates a recent law Parents’ Bill of Rights law, Senate Bill 12, that was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2025. The Parents’ Bill of Rights prohibits references and activities regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. State Board of Education member Brandon Hall sent Austin ISD a letter last week requesting that the school district “immediately stop” Pride activities.
Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, said:
“The Texas Legislature was clear in their message that parents and Texans want schools to stop having LGBT lessons, activities, and ideas in public schools. The fact that Austin ISD is even trying to be clandestine with their photography by hiding school logos suggests that they know they are doing something wrong. It would be best to cancel Pride week this year and postpone it indefinitely”.
Austin ISD has listed their plans for Pride week on their school website. The website says that parents have been notified of the specific Pride week activities for their child’s school. In the past, videos have circulated of drag queens performing during Austin ISD Pride week. Texas Values mentions in the letter that a law that was recently upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals would prohibit drag performers.
To read the letter Texas Values sent to Austin ISD, please click here.
Members of Texas Values law and policy team are available for comment. Contact Ashley at media@txvalues.org or 737-314-2450 (m) to schedule an interview.
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About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.