An Equality Texas study shows many LGBTQ+ students have considered leaving their schools — and the state entirely —since Senate Bill 17 went into effect last year.

Bills before a Senate education committee would eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in public K-12 schools and establish a procedure to file grievances against districts that violate the ban. These programs were established to address or end historical inequities based on race, gender, and sexual orientation.

The University of North Texas provost told the faculty senate on Wednesday that media coverage of recent course title changes to align with a state ban on DEI initiatives were misconstrued.

The University of North Texas continues to comply with the state Legislature's ban on DEI in public colleges and universities.

Sources told KUT that roughly a quarter of those working in the University Marketing and Communications department were let go. The university told employees it needed to focus on “managing reputational issues.”

The University of North Texas removed a reference to “diversity, equity and inclusion” from the policy regarding academic freedom and responsibility to comply with the state's ban on DEI initiatives at public universities.

Texas is among several states that have rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion — or DEI — programs at state colleges and universities. As a result, every Texas public college closed DEI departments in January, and in April, two Texas schools fired more than 80 DEI staff total.

In a message to students, staff and faculty Tuesday, UTD President Richard Benson said continued evaluation of how to comply with SB 17 forced the closure of the new Office of Campus Resources and Support.

For students like Rayvon Bray, the Multicultural Center at the University of North Texas was like a second home — a place to meet friends, play games and share experiences as part of the Black gay community.

A letter from the NAACP to current and prospective NCAA athletes urges them to shun mostly white schools in Florida that have dismantled DEI programs under a new state law similar to one passed in Texas.

University of North Texas legal counsel recently advised the campus libraries to suspend planned events for Pride Week, according to an email sent to library staff last week. The events are the latest casualty of a ban Texas lawmakers handed down to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, programs and recruiting documents in Texas public colleges.

Student employees say university officials told them they would find a way to maintain the LGBTQ+ program under a new anti-DEI state law, but removed it entirely at the last minute.