New Rules on Gender Talk at a Texas University System

Texas Tech University System issued new guidance for its campuses that limits classroom talk about gender. The memo tells faculty they must follow the federal order that recognizes only two sexes, male and female. Some professors at Angelo State University were told not to discuss transgender or nonbinary identities and to remove some course materials.

Many teachers say the rules hurt academic freedom and leave staff confused because officials gave few written details. The federal executive order defines sex as male or female and asks agencies to use the word "sex" rather than "gender." Civil rights groups and academic organizations have raised concerns about the guidance.