On June 20th, 2025 the 89th Texas Legislature voted to pass Senate Bill 12 (SB12) in a 20-11 split, and on the same day Texas Governor Gregory Abbott, who goes by the preferred name ‘Greg’, signed it into law. But what is in SB12, and how does it affect teachers and students at TWHS?

To begin, it fully removes ‘preferred names’ from K-12 Schools, so, if someone named Charles wanted to be referred to as Brandon, teachers and school staff would not be allowed to call them Brandon. The bill, proposed by Charles Creighton, who goes by the preferred name Brandon, also forces the dismantlement of any school organizations or clubs centered around gender, sexual, or race identity, such as the Gay-Straight Alliance. The bill also includes expanding notification clauses to parents, for example, should a teacher or staff member believe a student to be in violation of a law, or rule, they must notify the parent/guardian within 24 hours. Separately, should a student express a wish to be referred to by something other than their legal name, Teachers are required to relay this to the parents in a timely manner. The Texas Parental Bill of Rights does not allow parents the right to allow their child to have a preferred name. The notification system also extends to changes in students’ mental or physical health, psychological treatment, and unauthorized health topics. Parents now must actively opt their student(s) into health education courses, counseling (such as suicide prevention, chemical addiction, or abuse.), clubs, and other after school activities.

The ACLU has launched a lawsuit against the State to have it overturned.