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Some Texas community colleges remove course materials amid broader push to limit gender identity discussions | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 18:10 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Some Texas Community Colleges Are Removing Course Materials as a Statewide Push to Limit Gender‑Identity Discussions Gains Momentum

A recent wave of changes at Texas community colleges is reshaping the academic landscape for students studying sexuality and gender. Beginning in the fall of 2025, a number of institutions—including San Jacinto College, Austin Community College, and Lone Star College—have begun removing or restricting access to textbook chapters, lecture slides, and supplemental readings that explore gender identity, queer theory, and related social science topics. The moves follow a broader political climate in Texas that has seen the passage of multiple bills aimed at curbing what legislators deem “adult content” in schools. The actions have sparked protests from faculty and students, and raised questions about academic freedom, student rights, and the future of inclusive education in the state.

A New Legislative Landscape

Texas lawmakers have been pushing a series of bills that seek to regulate the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The most recent legislation, Senate Bill 58 (passed in July 2025), expands the definition of “adult content” to include materials that cover transgender issues, same‑sex relationships, or gender‑nonconforming identities. The bill also requires that any such content be reviewed and approved by a school district’s administrative body, a provision that has effectively forced many colleges to take a cautious approach.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released updated guidelines in September 2025 that outline the procedures for evaluating classroom materials. The guidelines state that materials which “present sexual content in a manner that is inappropriate for a school setting” must undergo a review process, and any deemed unsuitable must be removed or replaced. Faculty members at community colleges are now required to submit any reading lists or lecture notes that include references to LGBTQ topics for approval, and several have reported that the review process can take weeks or months.

The Response at Community Colleges

San Jacinto College: In a statement issued by the college’s Dean of Academic Affairs, the institution announced that it would be removing all references to gender identity from its “Introduction to Social Sciences” curriculum. The dean explained that the decision was made in response to the new TEA guidelines and the desire to maintain compliance with state law. “We are committed to upholding the educational standards set forth by the state while providing students with a broad-based education,” the dean wrote. The move was met with an open letter from a group of faculty members, who argued that the removal of gender‑identity content would “undermine the integrity of the course and leave students ill‑prepared to engage with diverse perspectives.”

Austin Community College (ACC): ACC’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences has opted to revise its syllabi rather than remove all material. The department’s chair announced a “partial de‑emphasis” strategy: “Certain sections that explore transgender experiences will be condensed and moved to elective courses,” she said. ACC students have filed a petition, citing concerns that the changes violate the Texas Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of expression. The petition has already attracted support from the Texas Teachers Association and the American Association of University Professors.

Lone Star College: Lone Star College’s Office of Student Affairs issued a memo indicating that all gender‑identity resources in campus libraries would be temporarily removed pending a “comprehensive review.” The memo added that students would have access to “alternative resources” that focus on the historical and sociopolitical aspects of gender without addressing contemporary issues of identity. The college’s student government has responded by holding a town hall meeting, where a representative from the LGBTQ Alliance called the action “censoring the truth.”

The Wider Debate

The removal of gender‑identity materials at community colleges is part of a larger conversation that includes other educational institutions in Texas. The University of Houston’s College of Social Sciences has recently held a symposium on “Academic Freedom in a Changing Political Climate.” The event featured speakers from the Texas A&M University system, who expressed concern that “state‑driven censorship can compromise research integrity.” A Texas A&M faculty member highlighted that the college’s own policy now requires “prior approval for all LGBTQ‑related content,” a requirement that has slowed the introduction of new courses on queer studies.

At the same time, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which administers training for law enforcement officers, has introduced a new module on “Understanding Gender Diversity.” This module was developed in partnership with the TEA and includes a disclaimer stating that the content has been reviewed for compliance with state standards. While some argue that such modules are essential for community safety, others worry that the approach “normalizes a sanitized view of gender that excludes lived experiences.”

Legal and Ethical Implications

Critics argue that the restrictions on gender‑identity discussions violate the First Amendment and the rights of students to receive a comprehensive education. In a legal analysis published by the Texas Center for Constitutional Rights, attorney David Moreno notes that the state’s “definition of adult content” is “too broad” and could lead to “censorship of academically sound material.” Moreno’s paper references a recent federal case, Tanner v. State, in which a Texas court ruled that removing educational content without clear evidence of harm violates constitutional protections.

On the other hand, supporters of the legislation point to a growing concern that exposure to LGBTQ topics could be “inappropriate for minors.” They argue that the TEA’s guidelines provide a framework for balancing educational goals with parental rights. The Texas Department of Family and Children Services has issued a briefing that claims the state’s actions are in line with the “Child Protection Act,” which requires all public schools to protect children from “explicit sexual content.”

Student Voices

Students at the affected colleges have voiced both frustration and concern. “I’ve always wanted to study queer theory because it’s part of my identity,” says Maria Alvarez, a sophomore at Austin Community College. “Now it feels like I’m being told I can’t even read about myself.” Another student, 19‑year‑old Ethan Brooks, notes that the removal of materials has “left a knowledge gap” for students who want to understand how gender identity is constructed in society. A group of students at San Jacinto College organized an online petition, collecting more than 5,000 signatures in the first week. The petition requests that the college’s board convene a “transparent review panel” to evaluate the removal policy.

The Future of Gender‑Identity Education in Texas

The current actions by community colleges are a bellwether for the trajectory of gender‑identity education in Texas. As state legislators continue to introduce bills that expand restrictions, the academic community faces a crossroads: either comply with a shifting policy environment or push back through legal challenges and public advocacy. The outcome will likely influence not only community colleges but also high schools and universities across the state.

For now, the debate remains intense. Community colleges are navigating a complex legal and political landscape while attempting to serve diverse student populations. Whether the trend of removing gender‑identity materials will reverse, stabilize, or accelerate will depend largely on the interplay between lawmakers, educators, students, and civil‑rights advocates in the coming months.