Texas Lawmakers OK Ban On Sexually Suggestive Cheerleading

AUSTIN, Texas -- If some Texas lawmakers have their way, "overtly sexually suggestive" cheerleading will be banned.

The Texas House has approved a bill that would give the state education commissioner authority to request that school districts review high school performances.

State Rep. Al Edwards, of Houston, who sponsored the legislation, contends that bawdy performances are a distraction for students resulting in pregnancies, dropouts and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Edwards is outraged by the way cheerleaders are "shaking their behinds and going on, breaking it down."

"And then we say to them, 'don't get involved in sex unless it's marriage or love, it's dangerous out there' and yet the teachers and directors are helping them go through those kind of gyrations."

He said it's hypocritical for educators to teach sexual abstinence, while condoning all sorts of bumping and grinding on the sidelines.

Banned performances are not defined in the bill, which now heads to the Senate.

Under the Houston Democrat's bill, the state education commissioner could reduce a school district's state funding if it knowingly permits sexy cheerleading.