Texas is leading the charge to safeguard our children’s education and uphold Christian family values. The recently passed Senate Bill 12 (SB 12) – now on its way to becoming law – marks a historic win for parents, students, and all Texans who have prayed for a return to common-sense in schools. SB 12 bans harmful “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs in public K–12 schools and prohibits classroom discussions that push divisive ideas about race, gender, and sexual orientationaclutx.org. In plain terms, no more woke indoctrination in Texas classrooms. This is an occasion to celebrate and a moment to thank God for answering the call of concerned parents and educators across our state. Now, let’s break down what SB 12 does and why it’s such a game-changer.

What SB 12 Does: Protecting Kids & Empowering Parents

SB 12 is a comprehensive parental rights and education reform bill that touches on multiple issues to ensure schools focus on education – not activism. Here are the key provisions of this bold new law:

• Ends Politicized DEI Programs: No more taxpayer-funded social agendas in class. SB 12 bars all official programs or trainings centered on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” ideologiestexastribune.org. School districts can no longer waste millions in classroom funds on political activismtexastribune.org. Hiring and curriculum decisions must ignore factors like race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity – they’ll be based on merit and academics, not woke checkboxestexastribune.org. This means teachers are hired for their qualifications, not quotas, and students are taught knowledge, not narrow political doctrines.

• Bans Gender Ideology in Schools: No more confusing kids with gender propaganda. SB 12 prohibits any instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from pre-K through 12th gradetexasgop.org. Teachers will focus on reading, writing, and arithmetic – not radical gender theories. Gone are the days of “gender unicorns” and secret lesson plans about sexuality for elementary kids. Our children can learn in innocence, without agenda-driven content that doesn’t belong in the classroom.

• Shuts Down Inappropriate Clubs: Protecting kids even in extracurriculars. Under SB 12, schools cannot authorize or sponsor student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identitytexastribune.org. This means no more “Gender & Sexuality Alliance” clubs or other forums that introduce adult sexual topics to children at school. After-school programs should enrich students’ skills and faith – not undermine family values. Texas has drawn a firm line: schools are for education, not social engineering.

• Stops Secret “Social Transitions”: Parents will be in the loop – as they should be. SB 12 explicitly forbids school personnel from facilitating a child’s “social transition” (like using new pronouns or names) behind the parents’ backstexasgop.org. Any attempt to guide a child’s gender identity at school without parental consent is now illegal. No more secret conversations encouraging a boy or girl to assume a new identity without mom or dad knowing. SB 12 restores parental authority in these sensitive matters. If a child is questioning their identity, parents will be informed and involved, not kept in the dark by activists. Our kids belong to our families, not the school system!

• Requires Parental Consent for All Clubs & Sex Ed: Your right to decide is cemented in law. Under SB 12, parents must give written permission for their child to join any school clubtexastribune.org. This way, you’ll always know what activities your child is involved in. The bill also strengthens Texas’s opt-in requirement for sex education – a child cannot be placed in any sex-ed class or program unless parents affirmatively opt in, ensuring lessons align with your family’s valuestexastribune.org. Parental rights come first, period.

• Accountability for Violators: Enforcing the rules with real consequences. If a school or employee tries to skirt these new protections, parents can file formal complaints and demand explanationstexastribune.org. Unsatisfied with the response? Parents can appeal to the Texas Education Commissioner to investigatetexastribune.org. SB 12 even requires districts to discipline or fire any employee who knowingly engages in banned DEI or gender-related activitiestexastribune.org. Thanks to a late amendment, any such fired employee can appeal, but make no mistake: educators who insist on pushing woke agendas in defiance of the law will face consequencestexastribune.org. This law has teeth – it will be enforced to the fullest.

In short, SB 12 comprehensively guards children’s well-being and parents’ rights in Texas schools. No wonder Texas conservatives are hailing it as a “historic victory in child protection legislation”texasgop.org. The bill was championed by patriots like Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) and Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) who understand that education must reflect our values, not undermine them. Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 12 into law on June 20, 2025aclutx.org, and it officially takes effect on September 1, 2025 – ushering in a new era for Texas schools where faith, family, and freedom are respected once again.

Why This Matters: Saving Our Children & Our Values

SB 12 is more than just another bill – it’s a turning point for the future of Texas. For years, many of us watched in dismay as outside agendas crept into our classrooms. From ideologies that divide children by race, to lesson plans that introduce radical gender confusion at ever-younger ages, it often felt like our Christian values and parental rights were being erased. But with SB 12, Texas declares that enough is enough.

Here’s why this reform is so important:

• Protecting Innocence: Children deserve a childhood. They shouldn’t be burdened with adult social issues or sexual topics in school. SB 12 ensures that kids can be kids. No more first-graders coming home confused about whether they might “really” be another gender. No more teachers forced (or allowed) to delve into culturally divisive theories about race guilt or gender fluidity. Classrooms will return to academics and character – not activism. As Christian parents and educators, we know the Bible’s truth that “God created man in His own image – male and female” (Genesis 1:27). SB 12 lets us uphold this truth and shield young hearts from confusion and lies.

• Restoring Parental Authority: The bond between parent and child is sacred. Yet, before SB 12, some schools presumed to know better than parents – even hiding critical information about children’s emotional and identity struggles. That era is over. SB 12 cements that parents are the ultimate decision-makers for their kids’ upbringing and moral guidancetexastribune.org. Whether it’s joining a club, receiving sex education, or dealing with a child’s gender identity questions, moms and dads are in charge now. This law resonates with our core belief that children are a blessing to parents (Psalm 127:3) and that parents have a God-given responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). The state of Texas has affirmed that parents – not bureaucrats – know what’s best for their own kids.

• Upholding Fairness and Truth in Education: SB 12 doesn’t “censor history” or “erase” anyone – it corrects a dangerous imbalance. The radical left introduced programs under the DEI banner that often promoted anti-American, anti-Christian narratives, shaming some groups while elevating others, and encouraging kids to see each other through a lens of identity rather than character. Those divisive practices are done. We can still teach honest history – including the painful parts – without indoctrinating students to view themselves as oppressors or victims purely because of skin color. What SB 12 stops is the politicization of history and society in the classroom. It also affirms basic biological truth – that sex is real and not a spectrum to be reinvented in a child’s imagination. In a world increasingly enamored with denying reality, Texas has boldly stood for truth. SB 12 ensures our schools reinforce, rather than repudiate, the values of faith, equality under God, and love of country that bind us together.

• Creating a Safe, Focused Learning Environment: Despite what critics claim, keeping political agendas out of schools makes them safer. How? Because it removes sources of confusion, division, and distraction from the learning environment. Opponents say students will “lose safe spaces” and feel alone without DEI programs or LGBTQ clubstexastribune.org. But the truth is that every classroom becomes a safe space when it’s free from coercive ideology and moral chaos. Students can focus on friendship, learning and shared Texas pride, instead of being pressured to join an activist cause. And if a student is struggling with personal issues, SB 12 doesn’t leave them without help – it simply puts that responsibility back where it belongs: with their family and faith community, not state employees pushing an agenda. Real safety comes from caring parents, competent teachers, and a culture of respect – not from divisive programming. By refocusing on core academics and mutual respect, SB 12 makes all students feel included as Texans, without segregating them into identity groups or political camps.

In essence, SB 12 is a huge win for our families, our faith, and our future. It’s the culmination of persistent efforts by Christian patriots to reclaim our schools from those who sought to undermine our beliefs. Texas previously banned Critical Race Theory indoctrination in 2021, and now SB 12 doubles down by scrubbing the rest of the toxic residue from our K-12 systemtexastribune.org. This law has been crafted with care – even including provisions to avoid any unintended consequences (for example, the final version removed overly broad language that critics worried could cause confusiontexastribune.orgtexastribune.org). The result is a well-tailored policy that keeps the focus on education, not activism, while respecting parental choice at every step.

Let’s be clear: Texas stands as a beacon with SB 12. We are saying no to the false gods of woke ideology, and yes to the Judeo-Christian principles and parental wisdom that made our communities strong in the first place. Our great state is now leading the nation in pushing back against the cultural indoctrination of the next generation. And we’re doing it the right way – through peaceful, democratic means and the rule of law, fueled by grassroots Christian conservative voices (like those in our very own Christian Patriot Educators network!) who refused to be silenced.

Liberal Backlash: Why the Left is Furious (and Wrong)

As expected, the passage of SB 12 has sent liberal activists and Democrat politicians into a frenzy. They are outraged – and that tells us we’re doing something right. The usual suspects are making wild claims about the bill in an attempt to scare people. Let’s address a few of those criticisms head-on:

• “It’s Censorship!” – Opponents hysterically insist that SB 12 “aims to censor the truth, whitewash history, and punish educators”aclutx.org. The ACLU of Texas even went so far as to claim this law “imposes a ‘Don’t Say LGBTQIA+’ rule” in schoolsaclutx.org. What they call censorship, we call protecting children from inappropriate material. SB 12 does not stop teachers from covering required curriculum about history or civil rights – it only stops the injection of opinionated training and clubs that were never about academics, but about promoting a far-left social agenda. We absolutely want the truth taught in our schools – the truth that all men are created equal in God’s image, that America has overcome great struggles like slavery and civil rights, and that we must love our neighbors as ourselves. Nothing about SB 12 prevents those truths. It does prevent activists from distorting those topics into vehicles for guilt and division. As for “Don’t Say LGBTQIA+”? Yes – **we proudly say that topics of sex and gender identity have no place in early education. That’s called age-appropriate teaching, not “erasing” anyone. We refuse to let the radical left sexualize our kids under the guise of “inclusion.” If that makes them label us “censors,” so be it. We answer to parents and God, not to woke activists.

• “It ‘Outs’ Trans Kids and Puts Them at Risk!” – This is perhaps the most emotional charge opponents levy. They argue that by involving parents when a child expresses a transgender identity, SB 12 will “out students to unsupportive parents” and endanger their well-beingaclutx.org. Let’s unpack that. First, schools should never have been keeping secrets about children from their own parents – period. A school is not a confessional or a clinic; it has no right to withhold information about a child’s mental or emotional state from the family. SB 12 corrects that wrongful practice. Second, the vast majority of parents love their children unconditionally. The left’s narrative assumes parents are the enemy or abusers – what a sick, anti-family worldview! In truth, if a child is questioning their gender or sexuality, **the best chance for that child’s healthy future is open communication with loving parents and proper counseling grounded in reality and compassion. The real risk was allowing ideologically-driven school staff to secretly steer vulnerable kids toward life-altering decisions (like adopting new genders or pronouns) without parental guidance. That was a recipe for confusion and harm. SB 12 puts responsibility back where it belongs: with parents, who can seek faith-based or medical counsel as needed and make decisions in the child’s best interest. We will not apologize for prioritizing parental involvement. And remember: if there are genuine cases of child abuse or neglect, those are handled by existing law. SB 12 doesn’t change protections for truly at-risk kids – it simply stops treating parents as guilty until proven innocent. Every child in Texas now knows their parents will be involved in their big life decisions – which is exactly as it should be.

• “It Hurts LGBTQ+ and Minority Students!” – Liberal activists claim SB 12 will “disproportionately harm marginalized students”, saying it sends a message that “Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+ students don’t belong”aclutx.org or that it takes away their “safe spaces,” possibly increasing depressiontexastribune.org. This twisted logic couldn’t be further from the truth. Our Christian faith teaches that every single child is infinitely precious – regardless of race or background. The difference is that we don’t believe segregating kids by identity groups or encouraging them to fixate on sexuality is truly loving or healthy. SB 12 ensures all students are treated as individuals with equal worth, focusing on their character and academic growth. A school that stops obsessing over identity politics is a school where a student of any race can feel fully included as a Texan American, without being told they are either an oppressor or a victim. Likewise, a student struggling with sexual feelings or gender confusion will still receive care and attention – but from family, faith leaders, and counselors rather than from ideological school programs. That care will be grounded in real love and truth, not in affirming confusion. We want all children to flourish, which is why we must guide them toward truth (biology, morality, unity) and not reinforce harmful falsehoods. The left’s approach was to carve kids into subgroups and label some as “oppressed” to be coddled and others as “privileged” to be shamed – how is that not harmful? By banning DEI and identity politics, SB 12 promotes genuine unity and self-worth: no child is defined by skin color or sexuality, and every child is a beloved member of the school community. That is true inclusion – the kind that doesn’t need a slogan or a club, just a culture of kindness and Christian love.

• “It’s Unconstitutional, We’ll Sue!” – As sure as the sun rises, activist organizations like the ACLU are gearing up to attack SB 12 in court. In fact, the ACLU of Texas along with a group called SEAT have already announced they will sue to block parts of SB 12aclutx.org. They hysterically brand it “one of the most extreme education bans in the country” and “discriminatory”, and are scrambling to find a judge who might agree with themaclutx.orgaclutx.org. Here’s our response: Bring it on. Texas lawmakers took care to craft SB 12 within the bounds of the Constitution. Parents’ rights to direct their children’s upbringing and education are well-established – this law reinforces those rights. Nothing in SB 12 prohibits free speech outside the classroom or infringes on anyone’s private life; it simply sets standards for public school conduct and curriculum, which is squarely within the legislature’s authority. Similar parental rights laws in other states (like Florida’s) have withstood most legal challenges, and even where tweaks were needed, the core principles remain standingaclutx.org. We are confident that SB 12 will survive liberal lawsuits because truth and common-sense are on our side. Still, we must remain vigilant. Legal battles could be ahead, and the left will try every angle to overturn the will of Texans. That’s why it’s crucial for we the people to stand united in defense of this law – our legislators did their job; now we’ll do ours by supporting it loudly and proudly.

The bottom line is this: The shrill cries from liberals and Democrats prove that SB 12 is a powerful blow against their agenda. In the Texas House, every Democrat present voted against SB 12, and some were so incensed by the ban on gender clubs that they outrageously called the bill’s supporters “monsters”texastribune.org. Yes, you read that right. According to far-left Democrats, parents and lawmakers who want to protect kids are “monsters.” If that doesn’t show how out-of-touch and extreme the opposition has become, I don’t know what does. Well, if standing up for our children makes us “monsters” in their eyes, then we will wear that label as a badge of honor. As Rep. Jeff Leach – the House sponsor of SB 12 – said during debate, this bill “further upholds parental authority” and lets parents make informed choices aligning with their family’s valuestexastribune.org. We stand with Rep. Leach and all the brave leaders who got this done. No amount of name-calling or legal threats will change the fact that Texans demanded this reform, and Texans will defend it.

Join the Movement: Take Action to Protect Our Kids and Values!

SB 12’s passage is a monumental victory – but our work is not over. Now is the time to capitalize on this momentum and ensure this positive change takes root across Texas and beyond. Here’s how you can help right now:

🎉 Celebrate and Spread the Word: First, let’s rejoice in what God has done! Victories like this are only possible through the prayers and actions of thousands of faithful patriots. Share the good news of SB 12 with your friends, family, and church community. Post about it on social media, send emails, talk to your neighbors. Make sure every Texas parent knows their rights just got a huge upgrade. The more people understand what this law really does (and doesn’t do), the harder it will be for the media or activists to mislead them. We’re proud of Texas – let’s say it loud! Use the hashtags #ParentalRightsVictory and #ProtectTexasKids when you share, to help this message go viral. This is a grassroots movement, and every voice counts.

✍️ Thank Your Legislators (and Governor): Our leaders need to hear from us when they do the right thing. Take a moment to call or write the authors and supporters of SB 12 – people like Sen. Brandon Creighton and Rep. Jeff Leach – and express your thanks for championing this bill. Similarly, thank Governor Greg Abbott for signing it into law and standing strong on conservative values. A quick email or phone call is enough. These public servants faced intense pressure and even personal attacks from the left, so let’s encourage them. Your gratitude will bolster their courage to continue fighting for our values in the future.

🏫 Support Your Local Schools in Implementation: SB 12 will officially take effect on September 1, 2025texastribune.org, which means the 2025–2026 school year is our first chance to see it in action. Get involved with your local school district to make sure they implement the new policies fully and faithfully. Some school boards or administrators might be slow to change or even quietly resistant. Attend school board meetings, ask what steps are being taken to remove DEI programs and comply with the law. If you hear of any school trying to flout the rules – for example, by keeping a banned club alive under a different name, or by teaching prohibited material under the radar – don’t hesitate to file a complaint as SB 12 allowstexastribune.org. Remember, the law is on your side now. Connect with other like-minded parents in your district (you can reach out through our Christian Patriot Educators network for support!). Together, we can ensure every district from the big cities to the smallest towns follows through. This victory belongs in every classroom, not just on paper.

🙏 Pray and Stay Vigilant: As Christians and patriots, we recognize that ultimately this is a spiritual battle as much as a political one. Pray for our students, teachers, and leaders as SB 12 is rolled out. Pray for hearts to be changed, and for the truth to shine brightly in our schools. And remain vigilant: the enemies of family values never rest. Even now, opponents are plotting “Phase 2” – whether through lawsuits, media smear campaigns, or sneaky legislative maneuvers in the future. We must be ready to counter lies with truth and fear with faith. Stand firm in the knowledge that we are on the right side of history and righteousness. If we remain engaged – contacting representatives, voting our values, speaking out – we can repel any counter-attacks on this law.

🤝 Get Involved with Christian Patriot Educators: Finally, if you share our mission to uphold Christian values in education, join us at ChristianPatriotEducators.org! Our community of parents, teachers, and concerned citizens is growing fast. We provide resources, support, and action plans for initiatives just like SB 12. By uniting together, we turn individual voices into a powerful chorus for change. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or just a passionate parent wanting to make a difference, there’s a place for you here. Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, and consider volunteering – even a few hours a month can help tremendously. We’re currently organizing local chapters and training sessions so that every school district has informed patriots watching and advocating. Now is the perfect time to get involved, as we gear up to defend SB 12 and push for even more positive reforms (like school choice and pro-faith curricula) in the days ahead.

In closing, let’s take a moment to truly appreciate what we’ve achieved with SB 12. Texas has set a bold example by saying “No more!” to the radical agendas that have tried to poison young minds and undermine our families. We’ve shown the country that when patriots unite under God’s guidance, nothing is impossible. This victory belongs to every parent who spoke out at a school board meeting, every teacher who refused to go along with indoctrination, every church leader who rallied their congregation to care about education, and every legislator who remembered their duty to the people over the elites. To all of you, we say a heartfelt thank you. 🙏

But we also know this is just one battle in a longer war for the soul of our nation’s education. The radical left is on notice: Texans will fight for our kids, and we will win. Now it’s up to us to keep this fire burning. Let’s make SB 12 the beginning of a nationwide movement to restore faith, freedom, and patriotism in America’s schools. If you’re reading this, you are the movement. Stand with us. Speak out. Share the truth. Love your children. Trust in God.

Together, we will raise up a generation of God-fearing, country-loving, well-educated Texans – and that legacy will echo far beyond our classrooms, into a brighter future for our state and nation.