HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Independent School District has settled a lawsuit that was filed by two parents who accused Bellaire High School and the district of violating their constitutional rights by referring to their daughter as a boy at school without their knowledge or consent.
The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this year by Alliance Defending Freedom, accused HISD of violating the parents’ constitutional rights by supporting what they describe as the “social transitioning” of their child, referred to in court records as Jane Doe.
The parents say HISD employees began using a masculine name and male pronouns to refer to their daughter starting in her freshman year and continued doing so into her junior year, despite explicit instructions from the parents to stop.
In the settlement agreement, HISD agreed that district employees would address the parents’ daughter only by her given name and by female pronouns.
“Parents have the right to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children without fear of government interference,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson, director of ADF’s Center for Parental Rights. “Schools should never hide vital information from parents, let alone go against their express instructions related to the well-being of their children. School officials should support parents, not replace them. In this case, we’re pleased HISD agreed to honor the Osborns’ wishes and respect parents’ constitutional rights.”
The parents said that they first became aware of the issue when they discovered schoolwork using a male name for their daughter. After addressing the issue with school staff and reiterating their request to use female pronouns and their daughter’s given name, they say the practice continued into the next academic year, prompting further concern.
In March 2025, ADF attorneys sent a letter to the district on behalf of the family asking it to confirm that the couple’s daughter would only be referred to by her given name and correct pronouns, and ADF asked the district to provide documents related to the events that occurred. The school district did not provide any documents and allegedly ignored the family’s request that they stop treating their daughter as a boy.
The Osborns filed a lawsuit in June of this year against the district.
On Friday, ADF said its attorneys filed a joint stipulation of dismissal.
The parents’ initial allegations led to Gov. Greg Abbott calling for an investigation into Bellaire HS and calling for lawmakers to prohibit the practice at all schools.
“No parent should have to endure this,” Abbott said. “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.”
KPRC 2 has reached out to the district for comment.