Texas Legislature Targets LGBTQ Studies, Signals Women and Ethnic Studies Are Next

While Representative Brian Harrison's immediate target is LGBTQ studies, which he could file legislation to ban in the 89th Legislature, his language also encompasses Gender and Ethnic studies.

In democratic societies, the bedrock of educational institutions is their unwavering commitment to fostering critical thinking, nurturing open debate, and encouraging the exploration of diverse ideas. This commitment not only enriches students’ minds but also prepares them to engage constructively in the broader societal discourse, ensuring the vibrancy and resilience of democracy itself.

Representative Brian Harrison has positioned himself at the forefront of an authoritarian approach to reshape the academic landscape in Texas universities. Since Harrison is running unopposed, we can almost certainly bet on seeing him push in the 89th Legislature bills to ban LGBTQ studies; Harrison’s hateful language doesn’t stop there.

This fascistic language casts a wide net, threatening to ensnare Gender and Ethnic Studies programs as well. This is a stark deviation from the ethos of academic freedom. This authoritarian approach to education seeks to curtail the exploration of topics that Republicans find politically or ideologically disagreeable.

By targeting these specific fields of study, Representative Harrison and like-minded legislators are wading into a culture war where higher education is the latest battleground, at their never-ending to force all of us to conform to their values. These actions not only undermine the autonomy of educational institutions but also erode the very foundation of democratic engagement.

Harrison’s language is telling.

“Texas A&M is spending state resources to assert that “gender and sexuality are socially constructed,” that “transphobia” has a “relationship to racism, colonialism, sexism, ableism, classism,” he said.

Here’s why his language also encompasses Gender and Ethnic studies:

• Similar to LGBTQ+ Studies, Women’s and Gender programs often examine the social construction of gender and sexuality, as well as intersections with race, class, and other identities, which could be viewed unfavorably under the same rationale.

• Programs such as African American Studies, Latino/a Studies, Asian American Studies, and Native American Studies that explore race, ethnicity, colonialism, and their impacts on society might also be scrutinized for promoting what could be labeled as “liberal” perspectives on race and identity.

Like transphobia, the patriarchy and white supremacy both have a relationship to racism, colonialism, sexism, ableism, and classism. Gender is a social construct. Race is a social construct.

While Republicans work tirelessly to erase marginalized people from our society, the implications of banning an entire field of study will have long-lasting impacts on several areas of work. Those career fields include:

• Advocacy and non-profit work.

• Academia.

• Social work and counseling.

• Public health.

• Law and public policy.

• Community outreach plans.

Despite Representative Harrison’s knee-jerk reaction to banning a slew of careers from the state of Texas based on his hatred for the LGBTQ community, this field of study is valuable and needed in a state as big as Texas.

The effort to marginalize LGBTQ studies and related fields under the guise of educational reform is an attack on academic freedom.

Attacking academic freedom is a hallmark of fascism, historically and in contemporary contexts, as it serves several vital functions that align with fascist ideologies and objectives.

Here is how attacking academic freedom fits with a fascist agenda:

1. The control of thoughts and ideas.

2. By curbing academic freedoms, fascists seek to silence critics and prevent organized opposition from gaining intellectual support.

3. It promotes homogenous identities.

4. It undermines democratic principles.

5. Moves like this create a climate of fear and compliance.

Historically, fascist regimes in Europe during the 20th century, including Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, aggressively curtailed academic freedom, targeting intellectuals and purging universities of those who opposed their ideologies.

Unfortunately, Brian Harrison is running unopposed this year, so we won’t be able to get him out. However, like other outlying DFW counties, Ellis will soon enough be a majority-minority county, leading to its flipping.

In the meanwhile. We have to vote against Republicans up and down the ballot. The only way to bring fascism to a screeching halt in Texas is to flip the Texas House. Vote early. Vote often. Just fucking vote.

Important 2024 primary election days:

• March 1, 2024: Last Day of Early Voting.

• March 5, 2024: Election Day!

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