Texas school accused of misgendering student despite requests

Parents in Texas are demanding answers from a local high school after they claim their daughter was referred to by a masculine name and male pronouns without their consent. The parents, Tammy Fournier and her husband, allege that Bellaire High School staff secretly transitioned their daughter socially at school. According to a letter from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the school district did not inform the parents when teachers started using male identifiers for their daughter in fall 2023. The parents discovered the situation when they saw a masculine name on their daughter's schoolwork. Initially, the teachers agreed to stop using the masculine name and male pronouns. However, the couple later found that this was not the case. Despite repeated requests, they claim the school continued to misgender their daughter. In September 2024, the parents met with the school's principal, who suggested finding a "middle ground" regarding the name used for their daughter. The ADF letter states that the principal would not promise to enforce their preferences. The parents have requested records from the school district concerning its policies on gender identity, citing the Texas Public Information Act. They believe their daughter is being gender-transitioned without their knowledge, which they oppose due to their values and professional advice they have received. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken note of the situation and called for an investigation into the claims. He expressed that no parents should face such a situation and emphasized the importance of school choice. As calls for clarity and compliance with state laws continue, the situation remains contentious, and the ADF has hinted at possible legal action if a resolution is not reached. The school district has not yet responded publicly to these allegations.