Texas Schools Should Support Students, Not Political Movements

I write because I believe public schools should support every child’s right to safety, dignity, and opportunity; not privilege certain political clubs at the expense of marginalized youth. Research shows that when schools host Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) or similar LGBTQ‑inclusive student clubs, those schools report significantly lower rates of bullying, harassment, absenteeism and suicide attempts among both LGBTQ and non‑LGBTQ students. Students attending schools with GSAs are more likely to feel supported by classmates and teachers and to stay engaged in school. GSAs also foster healthier school climates overall. In studies, their presence correlated with improved mental health outcomes, stronger sense of belonging, and reduced victim‑fear among vulnerable students. Denying LGBTQ‑focused clubs to some students but allowing politically aligned groups undermines equal treatment and risks harming youth who already face stigma and isolation. By contrast, the expansion of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in Texas schools introduces a politically charged external influence that has drawn widespread criticism. Civil rights advocates and watchdog organizations have documented a pattern of racist, sexist, homophobic, and Islamophobic statements linked to members and alumni of the organization. Schools are meant to foster learning, not function as recruitment centers for partisan activism or platforms for divisive rhetoric. In several districts and college campuses, administrators, students, and faculty have opposed TPUSA chapters precisely because the group stokes fear, targets minority communities, and undermines trust. No community benefits when public funds or authority are used to promote one ideology while suppressing others. What we teach children — whether acceptance, respect, debate, or division — matters. I urge you to reconsider any policy that endorses selective club approval for political causes while denying safe, inclusive spaces to marginalized youth. Let schools serve all students. Prioritize fairness, health, and genuine opportunity over partisan agendas.