The Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA) in Texas has rejected requests from LGBTQ+ advocates to permit boys into the Singing Girls of Texas choir and girls into the Texas Boys Choir. After a three-hour public comment session on June 27th, the school board voted 4-2 in a closed session to maintain sex-segregated choirs based on biological sex.

The meeting saw a stark division among attendees. Parents and conservative activists held signs with messages such as "Leave our children alone," "Boys do not equal girls," and "Biology, not ideology." Conversely, supporters of inclusivity displayed signs reading "Let them sing" and "Choir is for all," many wearing Pride attire.

Jonathan Covey, Director of Policy at Texas Values Action, held a press conference in front of FWAFA before the board meeting. (Texas Values Action)

Todd Prickett, artistic director of the Texas Boys Choir, acknowledged the deep divisions within the choir families, predicting that the decision would likely lead to some families leaving.

The board's decision resulted in a handbook change defining "boy" and "girl" according to a student's original birth certificate, which must be provided for admission to either choir. These changes were approved in two separate votes, both passing with a 4-2 majority.

The Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts School Board during public comment. (Texas Values Action)

Board members Cheryl Prince Bean, Melissa Goodroe, Mary A. Zimmerman, and Daniel Bates voted in favor of the changes, while Charles Reid and Leslie Scott opposed them. The policy is now subject to annual review. FWAFA is a public charter school under the governance of the Texas Center for Arts and Academics, which did not respond to requests for comment.

Conservative organizations applauded the decision. Kenya Ayoub Alu, Executive Director of Citizens Defending Freedom Tarrant County, called it a victory for parents and children, emphasizing the importance of biological sex in choir assignments. She suggested a co-ed choir as a potential solution for those seeking more inclusive options.

Parents await the board's vote on handbook revisions. (Texas Values Action)

This is the second recent win for conservatives in Tarrant County, following the Keller Independent School District's decision to restrict bathroom access based on biological sex and prohibit the use of preferred pronouns. The ACLU of Texas criticized these policies, claiming they create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ students.