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In an attempt to force feed conservative religious ideology back to Texas’ college students and deny those in need of safe spaces provided by Gender and Sexuality Centers, State Representative Wayne Christian proposed an amendment to the state budget regarding cuts to spending: If funding is given to a gender and sexuality center at a state university, an equal amount of funding must be given toward a “Traditional Family Values Center.”
Here's a video of Rep. Christian demonstrating his unfamiliarity with some of the complexities that his legislation pertains to:
In the video he claims that gender and sexuality centers "teach alternative sexual behaviors."
Due to the lack of need for "family value centers" — considering that the entirety of most campuses serve as a safe space for heterosexual, male students who are not questioning their own identities — this amendment basically attempts to revoke current state funding for gender and sexuality centers on Texas university campuses.
So, what does that mean for students?
It means, those who find solace and counseling within these centers will lose the one space within an entire campus that serves and assists lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, queer/questioning and female students when they feel threatened — emotionally and physically. These spaces save lives.
In an environment where LGBTQ students continually turn to suicide and self-harm in the face of repeated homophobic bullying and bigotry, it is vital that gender and sexuality centers find the funding they need in order to provide support to students.
The most upsetting part? This amendment was originally drafted by a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Tony McDonald, who is the current senior vice chairman of the Young Conservatives of Texas. To think that the young people of our state and nation continue to practice and promote such deep ignorance is simply frightening. About coming up with the idea to propose these centers, McDonald said, "It is giving leftists a taste of their own medicine, seeing their money go toward something they don't support."
To take action against this bill, please sign the following petitions:
Tell Texas not to divert funds from LGBTQ education.
Protect funding for Gender and sexuality Centers and do not fund "traditional family values centers."
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