Governor Greg Abbott has ordered an investigation into Bellaire High School in Houston following claims that a student was secretly gender transitioned without their parent’s knowledge or consent.
The allegations, brought to light by a recent speech at a school board meeting, have sparked a debate over parental rights, gender identity in schools, and the role of teachers and school leaders in shaping students’ identities, highlighted in a report from The Texas Scorecard.
At a Houston Independent School District board meeting held earlier this month, Denise Bell, chair of the Moms for Liberty Harris County Chapter, shared the troubling account of a mother whose daughter was allegedly referred to by male pronouns and a different name without her approval or acknowledgment.
Bell, speaking on behalf of the anonymous parent, described how the student, a junior at Bellaire High, was asked about her pronouns at the beginning of the school year. However, despite the student indicating her preferred pronouns on a worksheet, teachers reportedly began using a different name and pronouns for the student. Bell also claimed that one teacher crossed out the student’s real name on an assignment and substituted her chosen name in red ink.
“We were shocked to learn that the high school was actively socially transitioning our daughter by calling her by a different name and pronouns,” Bell said during her public comment.
“This occurred without our knowledge and certainly without our consent. This goes against our Christian faith, the advice of her therapist, and, quite frankly, common sense. We met with her teachers, counselors, and the principal to no avail. HISD is purposely and secretively transitioning minors.”
After Bell’s testimony was shared online, Abbott quickly responded, calling for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to investigate the situation. He criticized the school’s alleged actions of hiding any information from the parents. Abbott also criticized HISD’s overall response and reaffirmed his support for legislation that would give parents more control over their children’s education.
No parent should have to endure this.
Another reason why parents deserve school choice.
No school should be involved in “transitioning” a child.
If this is not already illegal, it will be after this session.
I have instructed TEA to investigate this matter. https://t.co/avRhNcXc1E
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 16, 2025
Texas already has several laws regulating gender-related policies in schools, such as laws against minors receiving hormone inhibitors. However, no law currently restricts teachers from using a student’s preferred pronouns or names.
The controversy over Bellaire High comes as other Houston area school districts, such as Cy-Fair ISD, are moving toward more stringent guidelines on gender identity. Cy-Fair recently established new rules requiring parental notification and joint consent for changes to a student’s name or pronouns. According to Texas Scorecard, the district’s new policy allegedly aims to ensure parents are involved in any decisions regarding gender identity “accommodations” for their kids.