AUSTIN — Austin Independent School District announced it will use buses to transport children and their families as well as staff to the “Austin Pride Parade” on August 12.
“We are proud to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families,” AISD said on their website, “and highlight our commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all!”
The parade, which will start at the Texas Capitol, runs 1.2 miles and ends at Congress Bridge.
According to the AISD website, the district encourages students to wear “Pride costumes and rainbow colors” and will also provide a limited number of “Austin ISD Pride T-shirts” for students in attendance.
“As a member of the House Public Education committee, I heard all session how ‘underfunded’ public schools were,” State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) said. “Since Austin ISD has enough $$$$ to shuttle kids to and from the Austin Pride Parade, I can assume they are ‘fully funded.’”
“When people ask why they should support school choice, this is a good place to start,” said Brady Gray, president of Texas Family Project.
What about this gives students an academic advantage?
What does this have to do with literacy?
Will this pride parade be like those in June with grown naked men prancing in front of children?
How many tax dollars are going to this while families in Austin struggle to get by? pic.twitter.com/u4iViXNgXr
— Texas Family Project (@FamilyProjectTX) August 8, 2023
In February, Gov. Greg Abbott made school choice a priority item for the 88th Legislature.
In June, Abbott announced his intention to hold a special session for school choice after Senate Bill 8, the proposed school choice legislation that would create ESAs for students’ use, died in committee in May.
A special session on school choice is expected to be held in the fall.
