A Texas Tribune reporter is facing backlash from parents and political leaders after publicly soliciting stories about how new Texas policies restricting discussion and expression of “transgender” identities are impacting K-12 schools.
“I’m a reporter for @TexasTribune writing about new policies limiting the discussion/expression of trans identities at public TX K-12 schools. I want to know how these policies have affected you or your school. Students, parents, educators, email [email protected],” reporter Lindsey Byman wrote on X.
Her post drew sharp criticism within hours from Texas parents and elected officials, who accused Byman and the Tribune of promoting a biased narrative about gender ideology in public education.
“More Mr. Rogers in pre-school and kindergarten is what the kids need. Not Marxist brainwashing propaganda that didn’t exist until recently — propaganda that tries to convince them to mutilate their bodies so they can never reproduce as God intended,” former Railroad Commission candidate Tom Slocum wrote on X.
“Hi Lindsey. Texas mom here. We don’t send our kids to school to be groomed by demonic ideologies that destroy children’s innocence and seek to hinder the parent-child relationship or sow mistrust between children and parents,” Betsy Davis, a parent of school-aged children, posted in reply. “Sexual indoctrination only seeks to destroy society as a whole and has no place in public education.”
“Thanks for asking. These policies have affected me by giving me peace of mind that my 8-year-old son won’t be exposed in school to some weird reality-denying religion promoting mental illness and the castration of children,” former Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi wrote.
Several commentators urged followers to make their opinions known directly to the reporter.
“Hey everyone, Lindsey from the Texas Tribune wants to know how you feel about Texas teachers not being allowed to sexually indoctrinate minors anymore. Please feel free to send her an email with your opinion,” BlazeTV host Sara Gonzales wrote.
The backlash comes as Texas continues to implement laws restricting the display or promotion of “sex-altering” and gender ideology materials in classrooms. State lawmakers last session approved measures prohibiting sexually explicit content in libraries, barring school districts from keeping a student’s asserted gender identity secret from parents, and removing state funds from programs promoting gender ideology.
The Dallas Express has previously reported on how parents across North Texas have pressed for greater transparency in public education, citing concerns that politically motivated curricula and outside advocacy groups are influencing classroom content.