Texas Values Demands Austin ISD Cancel Pride Week

Group claims school district's planned LGBTQ+ activities violate new state law

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The conservative Christian advocacy group Texas Values has sent a letter to Austin Independent School District demanding they cancel their upcoming Pride Week, claiming the planned LGBTQ+-inclusive activities violate a recent state law known as the Parents' Bill of Rights.

Why it matters

This is the latest clash in the ongoing culture war over LGBTQ+ rights and representation in public schools, with conservative groups seeking to limit or eliminate any discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. The outcome could set a precedent for how schools in Texas approach LGBTQ+ issues going forward.

The details

In the letter, Texas Values argues that Austin ISD's scheduled Pride Week from March 23-27 violates the Parents' Bill of Rights law passed by the Texas legislature in 2025, which prohibits references and activities regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The group also cites a recent court ruling that would prohibit drag performers from participating in school events.

  • Austin ISD is scheduled to hold Pride Week from March 23-27, 2026.
  • The Parents' Bill of Rights law was passed by the Texas legislature in 2025.
  • A letter was sent from Texas Values to Austin ISD on March 16, 2026 demanding they cancel Pride Week.

The players

Texas Values

A conservative Christian advocacy group in Texas that opposes LGBTQ+ rights and representation in public schools.

Austin Independent School District

The public school district serving the city of Austin, Texas, which has planned a Pride Week event for March 2026.

Brandon Hall

A member of the Texas State Board of Education who sent a letter to Austin ISD last week requesting they stop the planned Pride Week activities.

Mary Elizabeth Castle

The Director of Government Relations for Texas Values.

Parents' Bill of Rights

A law passed by the Texas legislature in 2025 that prohibits references and activities regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools.

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What they’re saying

“The Texas Legislature was clear in their message that parents and Texans want schools to stop having LGBT lessons, activities, and ideas in public schools. The fact that Austin ISD is even trying to be clandestine with their photography by hiding school logos suggests that they know they are doing something wrong. It would be best to cancel Pride week this year and postpone it indefinitely.”

— Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations, Texas Values (txvalues.org)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Austin ISD to proceed with their planned Pride Week activities.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing battle over LGBTQ+ representation in public schools, with conservative groups seeking to limit or eliminate any discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity. The outcome could set an important precedent for how schools in Texas approach these issues going forward.