San Antonio, January 21, 2026
The Alamo Heights Independent School District in Texas has canceled a scheduled visit by children’s author Chris Barton after he declined to avoid discussing LGBTQ+ topics, including his book ‘Glitter Everywhere!’. This move reflects the broader implications of Texas Senate Bill 12, which restricts discussions around diversity and inclusion in schools. Responses from the community are mixed, with concerns about the message sent regarding open inquiry and adherence to state law.
San Antonio, Texas
Alamo Heights Independent School District (ISD) has canceled a scheduled visit by children’s author Chris Barton due to a reference to LGBTQ+ individuals in one of his books.
The cancellation occurred after district staff requested that Barton avoid discussing gender identity, sexual orientation, or his book “Glitter Everywhere!” during his visit. Barton declined this request, leading to the event’s cancellation. The district cited a Texas Education Code prohibition as the basis for their decision. Barton had planned to sell and sign five of his books during the visit, but “Glitter Everywhere!” was not among them. He emphasized his commitment to answering students’ questions honestly and stated that he would have mentioned the book if students had asked about it during a Q&A session. Barton has visited hundreds of schools over 25 years and had never before been asked to avoid speaking about a specific work. He noted that he recently presented “Glitter Everywhere!” to elementary students in another Texas district without issue.
This incident reflects the broader impact of Senate Bill 12, a Texas law that took effect on September 1, 2025, which restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools and limits instruction or programming that addresses sexual orientation or gender identity. Civil rights groups have sued to block parts of SB 12 as unconstitutional, and that litigation is now pending in federal court. The case raises questions about whether factual references to LGBTQ+ people in classroom or library settings can be barred without conflicting with First Amendment protections.
Community reactions in Alamo Heights have been mixed. Some parents believe that canceling the visit over a single line in a book sends the wrong message to students about open inquiry. Others argue that the district is simply trying to stay on the safest possible side of the new state law. Local authors and educators warn that risk-averse interpretations of SB 12 could deter school visits, library events, and classroom conversations that previously passed without controversy.
Chris Barton is an Austin-based author known for his picture books and nonfiction titles for young readers. He has been writing for children for over two decades and has visited numerous schools across the country.
FAQ
Why was Chris Barton’s visit to Alamo Heights ISD canceled?
The visit was canceled because district staff requested that Barton avoid discussing gender identity, sexual orientation, or his book “Glitter Everywhere!” during his visit. Barton declined this request, leading to the event’s cancellation.
What is Senate Bill 12, and how does it relate to this incident?
Senate Bill 12 is a Texas law that took effect on September 1, 2025. It restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools and limits instruction or programming that addresses sexual orientation or gender identity. This law influenced the district’s decision to cancel the visit.
What has been the community’s reaction to the cancellation?
Community reactions have been mixed. Some parents believe that canceling the visit over a single line in a book sends the wrong message to students about open inquiry. Others argue that the district is simply trying to stay on the safest possible side of the new state law.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Cancellation of Chris Barton’s author visit to Alamo Heights ISD |
| Reason for Cancellation | District’s request to avoid discussing gender identity, sexual orientation, or “Glitter Everywhere!” during the visit |
| Author’s Response | Barton declined the request, leading to the event’s cancellation |
| Relevant Legislation | Senate Bill 12, effective September 1, 2025, restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools |
| Community Reaction | Mixed opinions; some parents concerned about the message sent to students, others supportive of the district’s adherence to state law |
| Author’s Background | Chris Barton is an Austin-based author known for his picture books and nonfiction titles for young readers, with over two decades of experience |
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