Measure aims to tone down cheerleading performances

AUSTIN - The Friday night lights in Texas could soon be without bumpin' and grindin' cheerleaders.

Legislation filed by state Rep. Al Edwards of Houston would put an end to "sexually suggestive" performances at high school athletic events and other extracurricular competitions.

"It's just too sexually oriented, you know, the way they're shaking their behinds and going on, breaking it down," said Edwards, a 26-year veteran of the Texas House. advertisement

"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."

Under Edwards' bill, if a school district knowingly permits such a performance, state funds would be reduced in an amount to be determined by the education commissioner.

Edwards said he filed the bill after seeing several instances of such ribald performances in his district.

J.M. Farias, owner of Austin Cheer Factory, said cheerleading aficionados would welcome the law. Cheering competitions penalize for suggestive movements or any vulgarity, he said.

"Any coaches that are good won't put that in their routines," he said.