Texas school district donates money from anti-LGBTQ church to Pride festival

A church, known for their anti-LGBTQ practices, has regularly rented out an Austin, Texas, school district's performing arts center for their weekly services. Recently, the district decided to use money they have received from Celebration Church and donate it to the Austin Pride Parade.

Celebration Church, whose website previously referenced Bible verses that stated homosexuality, bisexuality, and not identifying with one's biological sex is a sin, have paid Austin Independent School District $182,000 for the use of their venue, according to the Austin American Statesman. While the references to the LGBTQ community have been removed, the site does state that marriage "is defined from the beginning of Scripture as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. God designed sexual intimacy for a marriage relationship and does not endorse or condone it in any other context."

LGBT rights activists have regularly protested the church's Sunday services since they started to rent the performing arts center back in August. Many say that the school district should not rent out the facility to the church, as their views do not reflect the district's inclusive values. Recently, Austin independent school district's campaign, Respect for All, added language to their anti-discrimination statement, which prohibits harassment of any kind based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The school also hosts its own Pride week in October, where students can engage in Pride activities.

School district officials discussed limiting the center's use by the church, and other outside entities, in September. However, Texas attorney general Ken Paxton's office warned the district that barring the church from using the building would violate state law and the First Amendment.

Instead, the district will now donate $10,000 of the money they have received from Celebration Church to the Austin Pride Parade and other LGBT districtwide activities. About $4,000 of the amount being donated to the Pride event will go towards transportation to ensure students, who would like to participate in the parade, can get there safely. The remaining $6,000 will pay for security for the students who choose to participate, as well as printing materials and supplies for campus-based Pride activities.

“Our core value is supporting all students, making sure all our students have a welcoming environment,” Jacob Reach, the Austin district’s chief of staff, told the Austin American Statesman. “We do have a core value of equity, diversity and inclusion in this district. We felt our inclusion of Pride week was a good choice. Every year, the organizers of that event have struggled to find donations, money and support to be able to include AISD [Austin Independent School District] students and teachers in this event. So we were able to set aside for them so they don’t have go out and try to raise the money.”

Austin ISD shared in a Facebook post last week: "Austin ISD is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for students, staff, and families. In honor of the celebration, Austin ISD and members of the LGBTQ+ Affinity group gathered to raise the Pride flag at the flag pole on courtyard of the AISD main office. The Pride flag will be raised at the AISD main office the week of June 3 and Oct. 7. This symbolic gesture will reiterate the district's commitment to our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families.”

The post continued: "The district is also pleased to announce that funds generated from the rental of the AISD Performing Arts Center have been designated for district and campus Pride activities, including participation at the annual Austin Pride Parade, marking the sixth year of continued support and participation in the parade happening Saturday, Aug. 10."

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