Case: GSA Network v. Morath

4:25-04090 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case.]. On August 28, 2025, the plaintiffs—including the Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, a student, and an educator— filed a complaint in the Souther District of Texas against the Commissioner of the Texas Education and several Texas school districts. The plaintiffs challenged Texas Senate Bill 12, dubbed the “Student Identity Censorship Law,” arguing that it imposed sweeping and vague restrictions on constitutionally protected speech in public and charter schools. The banned student organizations based on sexual orientation or gender identity; prohibited references to race, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation in school-related policies or programming; barred assistance to students undergoing social transitions; and forbid instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity (even outside school and in private capacities).

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71225173/parties/gsa-network-v-morath/


Judge(s)

Eskridge, Charles R (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buser-Clancy, Thomas Paul (Texas)

Corning, Sarah Frances (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Crawford, Charles Joseph (Texas)

Farrell, William Howard (Texas)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

4:25-04090

Original Complaint

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71225173/gsa-network-v-morath/

Last updated Nov. 3, 2025, 10:22 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District (Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATXSDC-34031516) filed by Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, GSA Network, Ruth Roe, Polly Poe. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

Clearinghouse
10

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/18/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Senate Bill 12, # 2 Exhibit Declaration of Maya LaFlamme Washington, # 3 Exhibit Declaration of Cameron Samuels, # 4 Exhibit Declaration of Ruth Roe, # 5 Exhibit Declaration of Polly Poe) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

1 Exhibit Senate Bill 12

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2 Exhibit Declaration of Maya LaFlamme Washington

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3 Exhibit Declaration of Cameron Samuels

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4 Exhibit Declaration of Ruth Roe

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5 Exhibit Declaration of Polly Poe

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Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

RECAP
2

NOTICE of Appearance by Ashley Harris on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Harris, Ashley) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

3

NOTICE of Appearance by Adriana Pinon on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Pinon, Adriana) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

4

NOTICE of Appearance by Chloe Kempf on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kempf, Chloe) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

5

NOTICE of Appearance by Charelle Lett on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Lett, Charelle) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Edgar Saldivar on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Saldivar, Edgar) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

7

NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Corning on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Corning, Sarah) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

8

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Buser-Clancy on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Buser-Clancy, Thomas) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

9

Request for Issuance of Summons as to Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District, filed. (Buser-Clancy, Thomas) (Entered: 08/28/2025)

Aug. 28, 2025

Aug. 28, 2025

11

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Dale Melchert (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34037646) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Melchert, Dale) (Entered: 08/29/2025)

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

12

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Megan Z. Noor (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34037861) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Noor, Megan) (Entered: 08/29/2025)

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

13

MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Shawn Thomas Meerkamper (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34038111) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Meerkamper, Shawn) (Entered: 08/29/2025)

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

14

CLERKS NOTICE Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge. Parties notified, filed. (cng4) (Entered: 08/29/2025)

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

Referral Judge Selected

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Peter Bray randomly selected to receive referrals. The selected Magistrate Judge is not assigned to this case until a District Judge refers the case or a motion or the parties consent to jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge. Once a referral has been made, the name of the referral judge will appear at the top of the docket sheet. (cng4)

Aug. 29, 2025

Aug. 29, 2025

15

Summons Issued as to Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District. Issued summons delivered to plaintiff by NEF, filed. (jld4) (Entered: 09/01/2025)

Sept. 1, 2025

Sept. 1, 2025

RECAP
16

NOTICE of Appearance by Charles Crawford on behalf of Plano Independent School District, filed. (Crawford, Charles) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

17

NOTICE of Appearance by Lucas C. Henry on behalf of Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
18

ORDER re: The parties are ORDERED to (i) confer on a schedule for briefing and argument, and (ii) submit joint or individual status reports in that regard when ready. Normal procedural deadlines shall otherwise apply unless and until an alternate order is requested and obtained. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/04/2025)

Sept. 4, 2025

Sept. 4, 2025

RECAP
19

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher B. Gilbert on behalf of Katy Independent School District, filed. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 09/08/2025)

Sept. 8, 2025

Sept. 8, 2025

RECAP
20

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

RECAP
21

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

22

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

23

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

24

NOTICE of Appearance by Nicholas Kennedy on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

RECAP
25

Unopposed MOTION Scheduling Order by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/30/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Scheduling Order) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/09/2025)

1 Proposed Order Proposed Scheduling Order

View on RECAP

Sept. 9, 2025

Sept. 9, 2025

26

NOTICE of Appearance by William H. Farrell on behalf of Mike Morath, filed. (Farrell, William) (Entered: 09/10/2025)

Sept. 10, 2025

Sept. 10, 2025

27

Unopposed MOTION Motion to Proceed Pseudononymously by Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/2/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Proceed Pseudonymously) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/11/2025)

1 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Proceed Pseudonymously

View on RECAP

Sept. 11, 2025

Sept. 11, 2025

RECAP
28

Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/3/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Protective Order) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

1 Proposed Order Proposed Protective Order

View on PACER

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
29

Unopposed MOTION to Exceed Word Count by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/3/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Leave to Exceed Word Count) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Leave to Exceed Word Count

View on PACER

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
30

ORDER granting 25 Unopposed MOTION Scheduling Order ( Deadline for Plaintiffs to amend complaint and/or motion for preliminary injunction due by 9/16/2025. Deadline for Defendants' responsive pleadings due by 10/16/2025. Deadline for Plaintiffs' reply in support due 11/5/2025. Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 11/25/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge) (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

RECAP
31

NOTICE of Resetting. Parties notified.Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 11/19/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge, filed. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/16/2025)

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

RECAP
32

First AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, GSA Network, Polly Poe, Texas AFT, Adrian Moore. (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/16/2025)

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

RECAP
33

Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/7/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit #1: SB12 Language, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit #2: Decl. of Maya LaFlamme Washington, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit #3: Decl. of Cameron Samuels, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit #4: Decl. of Ruth Roe, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit #5: Decl. of Polly Poe, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit #6: Decl. of Texas AFT, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit #7: Decl. of Julie Johnson) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/16/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit #1: SB12 Language

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2 Exhibit Exhibit #2: Decl. of Maya LaFlamme Washington

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3 Exhibit Exhibit #3: Decl. of Cameron Samuels

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4 Exhibit Exhibit #4: Decl. of Ruth Roe

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5 Exhibit Exhibit #5: Decl. of Polly Poe

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6 Exhibit Exhibit #6: Decl. of Texas AFT

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7 Exhibit Exhibit #7: Decl. of Julie Johnson

View on RECAP

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

RECAP
34

ORDER for Initial Pretrial and Scheduling Conference and Order to Disclose Interested Persons. Initial Conference set for 11/12/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) (Attachments: # 1 Attachments) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/17/2025)

Sept. 17, 2025

Sept. 17, 2025

35

MOTION to Reset Hearing on Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/9/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

Sept. 18, 2025

Sept. 18, 2025

36

NOTICE of Appearance by Eric J.R. Nichols on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 09/18/2025)

Sept. 18, 2025

Sept. 18, 2025

37

NOTICE of Appearance by JR Johnson on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Johnson, John) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

38

NOTICE of Appearance by Roshni Mahendru on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Mahendru, Roshni) (Entered: 09/19/2025)

Sept. 19, 2025

Sept. 19, 2025

39

ORDER granting 29 Motion to exceed word count.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

41

ORDER granting 27 Unopposed MOTION Motion to Proceed Pseudononymously (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 22, 2025

Sept. 22, 2025

40

PROTECTIVE ORDER granting 28 Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

42

ORDER granting 13 Motion for Shawn Thomas Meerkamper to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

43

ORDER granting 12 Motion for Megan Zakaya Furneaux Noor to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

44

ORDER granting 11 Motion for Dale Melchert to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

45

SCHEDULING and DOCKET CONTROL ORDER. Amended Pleadings due by 1/13/2026. Joinder of Parties due by 12/12/2025 Pltf Expert Report due by 7/14/2026. Deft Expert Report due by 8/13/2026. Discovery due by 9/29/2026. Mediation due by 12/15/2026. Dispositive Motion Filing due by 10/29/2026. Non-Dispositive Motion Filing due by 10/29/2026. Joint Pretrial Order due by 1/14/2027. Docket Call set for 2/23/2027 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/26/2025)

Sept. 26, 2025

Sept. 26, 2025

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46

ORDER re: Injunction Hearing set for 12/1/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/30/2025)

Sept. 30, 2025

Sept. 30, 2025

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47

Disclosure of Interested Parties by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

48

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Mike Morath, filed. (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

49

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Katy Independent School District, filed. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

50

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Houston Independent School District, filed. (Johnson, John) (Entered: 10/02/2025)

Oct. 2, 2025

Oct. 2, 2025

51

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/06/2025)

Oct. 6, 2025

Oct. 6, 2025

52

Unopposed MOTION to Exceed Word Limit by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/4/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/14/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Oct. 14, 2025

Oct. 14, 2025

53

MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Katy Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

54

RESPONSE to 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Katy Independent School District. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

55

ANSWER to 32 Amended Complaint/Counterclaim/Crossclaim etc. by Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

56

RESPONSE to 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Plano Independent School District. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

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57

MOTION to Dismiss 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

58

ANSWER to 32 Amended Complaint/Counterclaim/Crossclaim etc. by Houston Independent School District, filed. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

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59

Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Houston Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

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60

Other Notice

Oct. 27, 2025

Oct. 27, 2025

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61

Joint Discovery/Case Management Plan

Oct. 29, 2025

Oct. 29, 2025

62

Miscellaneous Relief

Oct. 29, 2025

Oct. 29, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 28, 2025

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Southern District of Texas 4:25-04090