Keller ISD Trustee Jo Lynn Haussmann opposes the ordinance
The Keller Independent School District school board will vote Thursday on whether to amend the district’s nondiscrimination policy to protect students and employees from bullying, discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
Administrators with the district in northeast Tarrant County crafted it after a lesbian student alleged discrimination based on her sexual orientation by school administrators earlier this year.
Two trustees, Jo Lynn Haussmann and Brad Schofield — backed by anti-LGBT activists — oppose the measure.
In a Facebook post, Haussman wrote the ordinance would “take away [students’] rights and morality.” She then linked to a radio post from the fundamentalist Christian group WallBuilders.
On a radio show this morning, Brad Schofield slammed his fellow trustees for being “too liberal.”
Conservative groups opposed to the ordinance urged members to attend the meeting and voice opposition to the measure, even those who don’t live in the school district and would not be impacted by it.
In an email, the conservative Northeast Tarrant County Tea Party called the ordinance part of the LGBT “agenda” which is “spreading like cancer” and suggests the policy would “fundamentally change America.”
It also warns against “unintended consequences, requiring mixed gender bathroom and locker room use as well as explicit sexual orientation education at all school age groups from K–12.”
Proponents of the ordinance request attendees wear blue and green; bring flags or signs of support to wave at the entrance or silently in back of the room.
“Be respectful at all times,” reads a notice from Fairness Fort Worth. “We aren’t the circus act in the room; they are.”
The board meeting takes place 6:30 p.m. at the Keller ISD Education Center, 350 Keller Parkway, Keller.
