Granbury, Texas — The removal of LGBTQ-themed books from the library of the Granbury, Texas, school district is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights division.
“The Office for Civil Rights can confirm that there is an open investigation into Granbury ISD under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,” according to a statement Tuesday from the Education Department.
“We do not comment on pending investigations.” Title IX has prohibitions against discriminating on the basis of sex, gender and sexual orientation.
The investigation, first reported by NBC News, ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, follows a complaint by the American Civil Liberties Union. It appears to be the first based on a nationwide movement pushed by conservatives to ban school library books dealing with sexuality and gender.
“It’s certainly the first investigation I’ve seen by the agency testing that argument in this way,” said W. Scott Lewis, managing partner at TNG, a consulting firm that advises school districts on complying with federal civil rights laws.
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Now Reading: US Education Department investigates removal of LGBTQ books from Texas school district
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US Education Department investigates removal of LGBTQ books from Texas school district
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