Katy ISD Board Proposes "Gender Fluidity" Book Ban
On August 19, the Katy ISD School Board will consider banning books that promote "gender fluidity" entirely for elementary & junior high, and require parent opt IN for high school students.
The Katy ISD School Board plans to discuss an EFB Local Policy revision on Monday, August 19, that will entirely prohibit library books in elementary school and junior high, that they believe "adopt, support or promote gender fluidity" and to require parental opt in, for high school students. The Board could vote on proposed changes as soon as Monday, August 26.
The proposed policy revision also includes a section that appears to target vendors and "fundraising partners" (likely Scholastic Book Fairs) by requiring them to adhere to Katy ISD's local board approved library policies- even if they are likely discriminatory and unconstitutional. Remember, those driving these ideological book bans, strongly prefer vendors with a Christian Nationalist bent like SkyTree Books. More on SkyTree Books by our co-founder Frank Strong, here.
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What books might disappear under a "gender fluidity" book ban?
Nearly one year ago to the day- Katy ISD's School Board voted to send $95,000 worth of new library books to storage over one trustee's allegations that elementary school libraries were full of sexually explicit, inappropriate books. The book she named as her primary concern? Shannon Hale's Itty Bitty Kitty Corn. If this policy revision passes, it's not unlikely that that the Katy ISD School Board will come back for that cat.
While Itty Bitty Kitty was never formally reconsidered by the District, several other titles have been. These books, and hundreds, maybe thousands of others, are at risk if this policy revision is adopted.
Back to School Book Bans
Katy ISD resumed classes on Wednesday. By Friday, the District had added 12 new book titles to the "removed" (ie banned) list.
These proposed revisions come on the heels of these most recent bans, and nearly one year after Katy ISD passed one of the cruelest, and nastiest, anti-trans policies that forcibly outs students without their consent and allows staff to deadname students even if their parents want them to be called by their chosen name.
11 of the 12 newly banned titles, come directly from a list of 676 books being circulated by pastor activists (and friends) affiliated with the Remnant Alliance, and Citizens Defending Freedom.
Based on patterns observed in Katy ISD, it seems likely that the pastors sent this list to the District following their read aloud stunt at the Katy ISD Board Meeting in April, and that the District pulled titles from the list to review internally.
As a result, Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, and 11 other titles, became the latest casualties of Katy ISD's book bans, under the leadership of the current board majority who campaigned on promises to rid Katy ISD's library of books that contain "CRT"... "pornography"... and now "gender fluidity."
Take Action
Speak at a Katy ISD Board Meeting
Katy ISD stakeholders may address their concerns about this agenda item (7.13) to the school board via public comment on Monday, August 19, and again on August 26.
Detailed instructions for how to sign up to speak and what to expect can be found here.
Email the Katy ISD Board of Trustees
You can also email the board of trustees your concerns, questions, and how you'd like them to vote on the proposed changes.
Join us in the fight for the freedom to read in Texas.
Sign our petition.
A Note of Full Disclosure
This one is especially personal for us. I (Anne) am a Katy ISD alumni, mom to currently enrolled Katy ISD students and have been fighting book bans and censorship in my district (which I love) for the past 3+ years. Our students-and all Texas students facing similar circumstances - are resilient in ways they should never have to be, in the face of targeted attacks coming at them from the board room.
Banning books based on the ideas they contain- like “gender fluidity”- is censorship.
Censorship is bad.
Let’s stop doing this.
Please.