Building on recent efforts to curb extremist gender ideology in higher education, one lawmaker is seeking to prohibit instruction on pronouns that do not align with an individual’s biological sex.
State Rep. Joanne Shofner (R-Nacogdoches) has introduced House Bill 3742, which calls for prohibiting instruction on the nonbiological use of gender pronouns in Texas’ higher education institutions.
“We are doing whatever it takes to get rid of this woke nonsense out of our culture,” Shofner told Texas Scorecard. “Now that President Trump is doing this at the federal level, it’s important for Texas to mirror the federal government efforts while we can.”
“We are trying to bury for good ‘identity politics’ throughout Texas universities. This cancer has to be rooted out,” she continued. “This will get us back to the purpose of higher education, which is an actual education, not indoctrination.”
HB 3742 does not ban the promotion of nonbiological gender pronouns through student organizations, although Shofner said that universities should be “very aware” that they are not allowed to use taxpayer dollars to fund any student groups promoting incorrect gender pronouns. She cited Senate Bill 17.
Last session, legislators passed SB 17, which banned DEI offices and policies in Texas public universities.
While SB 17 did not prohibit specific courses or teachings, lawmakers have since signaled their intent to take the next step in combating “woke indoctrination.”
Shofner’s measure follows a similar effort by State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) to eliminate degree programs or courses that contradict the reality of two biological sexes.
Harrison’s measure, House Bill 2339, would prohibit courses relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer studies. The proposal would also ban diversity, equity, and inclusion courses that promote “differential treatment of individuals on the basis of race, color, or ethnicity.”
