Anti-transgender sports ban, HB 25, goes into effect today

HB 25, the anti-transgender sports ban, goes into effect today. After a grueling string of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative sessions last year, HB 25 was the only anti-LGBTQ+ bill out of 76 to pass. 

HB 25 requires k-12 Texas students to play sports according to their gender assigned at birth, effectively banning transgender kids from the friendship, education, teamwork, and health benefits of playing sports with their friends. 

All Texans, regardless of what we look like, where we come from, or how we express our genders, want to be treated with dignity and respect. This is especially true for kids, who have already had their lives turned upside down with the ongoing pandemic. The last thing kids need right now is yet another policy that marks them as different or dangerous. 

Politicians exploited our differences all through 2021, particularly in schools, whether it was by dictating how Black kids can wear their hair, micromanaging about which lives and experiences teachers can teach, or excluding transgender kids from normal school activities. Kids just want to live their lives without having to worry about lawmakers stoking fear against them for political gain.

What does a post-HB 25 Texas look like?

There are still a lot of unknowns. The bill itself doesn’t have any guidance for how schools should start excluding transgender students from sports. Instead, the language directs UIL to create a process for schools, which has not yet happened and could take months. The most UIL has done to date is to update their nondiscrimination policy to include language from the bill without information on implementation or enforcement.

Whatever process UIL creates will have to grapple with how to navigate private healthcare documents, how to work with kids who are not yet “out” to their friends, and how to handle adults who accuse children of misrepresenting their gender. HB 25 also states that whatever rules UIL develops must “ensure compliance with state and federal law regarding the confidentiality of student medical information.”

Without enforcement guidance from UIL, schools have no uniform way to implement the law. If you’re interested in keeping up with the latest news regarding the sports ban, sign up for updates here. If you or someone you know encounters an issue with sports access, please let us know by filling out this form. In the meantime we’ve put together a high level resource to help navigate these situations. Please contact us at info@equalitytexas.org if you’re interested in receiving a copy.

What we do know is that the 10-month debate on this bill was incredibly harmful for the mental and emotional health of Texas transgender kids. Any time kids are debated as a threat or a problem to be solved sends the message that they are less than. 

Trans and intersex Texans deserve better

This is a hard day for Texas trans, nonbinary, and intersex kids. That’s why we’re flooding social media today with messages of hope and support. Print out this image and fill it in with a message of love. Take a picture and post with the hashtags #transkidsbelong and #letkidsplay.

Trans youth: know that you are loved. Try your best not to internalize the messages of HB 25. We see how bright your authenticity shines and how brave you’ve been and continue to be. And we will keep fighting alongside you on this journey. 

P.S. We’re working to help the LGBTQ+ community TurnOUT for Texas elections so we never have a legislative session as bad as 2021. Equality Texas has always existed in a challenging political climate and we will never stop fighting to protect your rights despite setbacks. This year,  we’re launching a multi-year investment in electoral work focused on key legislative districts so we never have a legislative session quite like 2021. A $5 donation could make a big difference.

 

 

 

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Equality Texas’ 3rd Annual Gala — Lights, Camera, Action: Reimagined

January 14, 2022 by Johnathan Gooch
Dear friends,

The health and safety of my fellow Equality Texans has been weighing on my heart
since the postponement of Equality Texas’ 3rd Annual Gala in October. It is with
sadness that I share now: Lights, Camera, Action!” will no longer be held in-
person on January 29, 2022.
I didn’t feel well over the holidays. Even with two negative test results, I was still
unwilling to potentially expose family and loved ones. That calculus is also extended
to my Equality Texas extended family. Y’all are just as near and dear to my heart
and I am unwilling to potentially expose any of you, no matter how many
precautions we’re able to take. The City of Austin reached stage 5 COVID-19
community risk last Thursday. Transmission rates are high, and hospitals are once
again being overwhelmed with patients.

When we began planning this event, we anticipated greater resolution to the
COVID-19 crisis, and sought to provide a long-overdue, unforgettable, in-person
celebration. But the current risks of gathering hundreds of people in one room far
outweigh the benefits of us moving forward with our annual event in-person. This is
a gut-wrenching decision – one we knew we may have to make but hoped we
wouldn’t have to.

For two years, we’ve been forced to pivot and reformat what mission-critical
fundraising events of all sizes look like. Our plan for reimagining this event, in part,
will honor the generosity and activism of Equality Texans in 2021 through digital
channels. We’re calling this digital celebration Gala Weeks – two weeks of thanks
to you, our generous sponsors, our 2021 Advocacy Stars, and partner organizations,
all who courageously supported Equality Texas during the toughest legislative year
for LGBTQ+ Texans.

This event funds essential programs that engage, educate, and mobilize Texans in
support of LGBTQ+ equality. In addition to our visibility and presence at the Texas
Capitol, this looks like: the rapid response mobilization of tens of thousands of
Equality Texans when emergent situations that threaten LGBTQ+ equality arise
across Texas, Equality Education webinars, in-depth leadership development for
Equality Fellows (70+ to date), training for corporate leadership and employee
resource groups, and the launch of Turn OUT for Texas, our new statewide voter
engagement and education program. Your support of these programs helps ensure
that Equality Texas can put up another valiant fight at the Capitol in 2023.
There are still opportunities to support this event
and help us reach our goal of raising $250,000.

We are excited to offer reimagined amenities for sponsors, including recognition on
our social media during Gala Weeks, on our website, and in the 2021 Annual Report.
Additional benefits include invitations to sponsor events (when the environment
allows), and membership in the Equality Texas Capitol Club. Visit
www.equalitytexas.org/gala-sponsor to sign up.

An exciting, new way to support this year’s annual gala is a silent auction!
In lieu of a memorable event in Austin, bid on a staycation or vacation package to
celebrate your advocacy this year! The auction will open on Saturday, February 5,
2022, and will close the following Saturday. Mark your calendars or follow us on
social media where we will feature auction items and packages.

Thank you for your continued commitment in support of LGBTQ+ equality in Texas,
and I hope you’re able to stay healthy in the coming weeks.

In community,

Sarah Lynn Chavez
Development Director
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Happy Paw-lidays!

December 22, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Happy Paw-lidays from our pack to yours!

Love,

Equality Texas

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It was never about sports

November 5, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Last week the Governor signed HB 25, the anti-transgender sports ban, which will take effect on January 18. Since the signing, after 10 months of very public anti-transgender rhetoric, the intent of the unrelenting attack has become crystal clear: it was never about sports. Stigmatizing and dehumanizing transgender Texans is just the beginning of a long-term plan to roll back the hard-won progress made since Stonewall.

In just the past two weeks, opponents of equality have set their sights on LGBTQ+ youth in public schools and marriage equality, perpetuating the culture of fear they championed while the legislature was in session.

Representative James White, now a candidate for Agriculture Commissioner, sent a request to notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ Attorney General Ken Paxton to weigh in on whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision on marriage equality must be enforced in Texas considering that Texas law currently requires marriages to be between “one man and one woman.”

Although bills are introduced every session to update Texas law to match SCOTUS precedent, not one has yet to pass the state legislature. Opinions by the Attorney General are non-binding, so Paxton’s decision will not change the fact that Texas does have to abide by SCOTUS precedent and continue recognizing marriage equality.

Meanwhile, AG Paxton’s primary opponent, Representative Matt Krause, launched an investigation into Texas school districts over what books are available in libraries and individual classrooms. His self-described goal is to eliminate any books that could “make students feel discomfort” over their race or sex. His list of 850 targeted titles includes many that seek to promote acceptance and understanding about the LGBTQ+ community and break down gender norms.

Governor Abbott doubled down on Krause’s inquiry, sending a letter to the Texas Association of School Boards to determine the extent to which “pornography or other inappropriate content” exists in public schools, after a viral parent complaint about Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe, a coming-of-age memoir about gender and sexuality.

These attacks confirm what we knew all along – the demonization of transgender youth is part of the ongoing strategy to build momentum against the community as a whole. We continue to receive reports of an increasingly hostile school climate for LGBTQ+ students all over Texas – increased bullying, being denied access to restrooms, and days of missed education in in-school-suspension just for their gender expression.

What’s Next? 

Equality Texas is hard at work with our state partners Lambda Legal, ACLU of Texas, the Transgender Education Network of Texas, HRC, and the Texas Freedom Network to create resources for parents and kids to know what their rights are regarding HB 25 and what to do if a student is accused of being on the “wrong” team.

We’re also gearing up for the 2022 elections, our best opportunity to hold legislators accountable for their actions this session. The elections across the country last week rewarded politicians who campaigned on fear mongering — whether it was censoring conversations about race at school, perpetuating the spectre of voter fraud in the 2020 elections, or painting transgender youth as a threat.

In order to stop this momentum, we’ll all have to turn out for the truth and for each other. Turn OUT for Texas this election cycle and support our electoral work.

But it’s not all bad

During this week’s election the city of Pflugerville voted to add explicit nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and move to gender-neutral wording in their city charter. There are no statewide or federal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, so every Texas city that chooses nondiscrimination goes a long way to keeping us all safe.

We accomplished a lot this session. We held the line for 9 months, beating back a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Though HB 25 passed, the result would have been much worse had it not been for your steadfast support.

This year:

300+ Equality Texans showed up to testify at the State Capitol;
600+ Equality Texans gathered at 19 rallies;
800+ written testimonies were submitted in opposition to anti-LGBTQ+ bills;
750 advocates attended 27 E² trainings;

Contributing to the defeat of 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

This is the power of our community. This is how we band together to make the world a safer place for every LGBTQ+ Texan. Though the road is long, we’ve built something amazing this year that is just the beginning.

Click here to support Equality Texas and help us engage and educate voters in the upcoming elections. Let’s continue to work together to ensure we never experience another legislative year like this one.

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Anti-trans sports ban signed into law

October 25, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Today, Governor Abbott signed HB 25 into law, despite the powerful testimony of trans kids and adults, families, and advocates, and the many emails and calls to his office asking him to veto this harmful piece of legislation.

This bill will require K-12 youth to participate in sports according to the gender on their birth certificate, essentially banning transgender and intersex youth from participating in line with their gender identity and barring them from the friendship, education, teamwork, and health benefits of playing a sport. Let us be clear: this is cruel, dehumanizing, and harmful.

The harm caused by this brand new law is already prevalent. Transgender youth bravely told their stories directly while advocates like Equality Texas presented data on the increase in bullying, calls to suicide hotlines, and physical assault stemming from the rhetoric from hearings and debates about anti-trans sports bans. Our pleas for dignity, respect, and the safety of trans and intersex kids in schools went unheard and in some cases was blatantly ignored by the elected officials responsible for this law. Our message to these lawmakers is simple: we will not forget this. By waging a 10-month assault decrying the humanity of transgender Texan children, they have violated their civic duty to represent and protect their constituents.

Equality Texas wants you to Turn OUT for Texas. We must hold lawmakers accountable for their cruelty and violation of their duties. And we need your help.

Donate to our Turn OUT for Texas Education Fundto support our voter education work ahead of the 2022 elections and make sure we never have to experience another legislative year like this one

Our inboxes have been flooded with a marked increase in inquiries for help from school teachers, parents, and children in Texas. Some of the heartbreaking stories we’ve heard this year describe an increase in bullying, physical assault, and anti-LGBTQ+ actions directly from administrators. If our school districts won’t protect LGBTQ+ youth, we must elect lawmakers who will.

We know why this is happening: this year in special session after special session the legislature cruelly fanned the flames of anti-LGBTQ+ hate in this state in an attempt to gain votes through fear. We can’t let hate win. Only by electing pro-equality candidates can we ensure that horrific legislation like HB 25 and worse doesn’t pass in 2023.

Invest in changing in the hearts and minds of fellow Texans today and for the future. Help us establish a strong foundation by giving a one-time donation or joining the Texas GEMS, our group of monthly donors. It’s been a long and brutal assualt, but we will not stop fighting to protect our community. We won’t let a handful of extremists speak for the vast majority of Texans who firmly believe that discrimination against trans and LGB+ people is wrong.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EQUALITY TEXAS RELEASES STATEMENT ON GOV. ABBOTT SIGNING OF ANTI-TRANSGENDER HB 25

October 25, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Contact: Debi Jackson | debi.jackson@equalitytexas.org

     Angela Hale | angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

 

October 25, 2021 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, today released a statement on Gov. Abbott’s signing of anti-transgender HB 25. Ricardo Martinez (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas, released the following statement:

“We are devastated at the passage of this bill. Despite the powerful advocacy and testimony of trans kids and adults, families and advocates, and the many emails and calls our community placed to the Governor’s office to veto this harmful piece of legislation, it is now law. Most immediately, our focus is our community and integrating concepts of healing justice to provide advocates who have already been harmed by this bill with spaces to refill their cup and unpack the acute trauma caused by these legislative sessions. Our organization will also begin to shift focus to electing pro-equality lawmakers who understand our issues and prioritize representing the vast majority of Texans who firmly believe that discrimination against trans and LGB+ people is wrong.

“It’s been a long and brutal fight, but we will not stop fighting to protect our community and secure the nondiscrimination protections we need so that all young people can thrive and live out their fullest potential. Trans kids and adults in Texas — and everywhere — deserve love and support, peace of mind, healthcare, happiness, to be carefree and focus on living out their greatest potential. They deserve not to be debated but affirmed and the right to exist without their government trying to push them out of everyday life. Trans people and their futures are sacred.”

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EQUALITY TEXAS STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF ANTI-TRANSGENDER SPORTS BAN, HB 25, TARGETING INNOCENT CHILDREN

October 17, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Contact: Angela Hale | angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

Kara Watkins-Chow | kara.watkinschow@berlinrosen.com

 

EQUALITY TEXAS STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF ANTI-TRANSGENDER SPORTS BAN, HB 25, TARGETING INNOCENT CHILDREN

AUSTIN (October 17, 2021) – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, responded today to the passage of anti-transgender bill HB 25 and the expected implementation of the bill.

“This cruel and grotesque ban puts a target on the backs of transgender children and adults, erases intersex people and sends a clear message that transgender and intersex people aren’t welcome or safe in Texas. Instead of heeding the community outcry against the bill and listening to the powerful testimony of trans kids and adults, families and advocates, Texas lawmakers willingly ignored the unequivocal evidence of the harm this bill (and bills like it) has already caused. Throughout four traumatizing legislative sessions, we’ve seen increased requests for help from families facing anti-LGBTQ+ threats as a result of this hostile climate. The ‘debate’ over this anti-transgender bill is already exacerbating intolerance, fueling discrimination, and solidifying Texas’ reputation as the leading state for violence against trans people. Lawmakers who supported this bill will have to live with its legacy and future impact on our communities,” said Ricardo Martinez (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas. 

“Anti-transgender extremists have made it their mission to attack children, spread misinformation and stoke fear in order to advance their own political careers and twisted agendas. This is shameful. This law will deprive transgender and intersex kids of their basic rights and opportunities to play with their friends, get exercise and learn life lessons through sports. 

“It’s been a long and brutal fight, but we will not stop fighting to protect our community and secure the nondiscrimination protections we need so that all young people can thrive and live out their fullest potential. We all have a part to play in combatting anti-transgender attacks, from calling your Senator to advocating for the Equality Act, sharing critical resources like The Trevor Project crisis hotline with people in your networks, or donating to LGBTQ+ organizations championing LGBTQ+ rights. 

“Equality Texas, the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), Human Rights Campaign, ACLU of Texas, Texas Freedom Network, Lambda Legal and many more have our community’s back and we won’t let a handful of extremists speak for the vast majority of Texans who firmly believe that discrimination against trans and LGB+ people is wrong.”

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.

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Special Session 3 Week 4 Wrap-up: HB 25 passes the House and Senate

October 16, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Last Thursday after more than 11 hours of debate, the Texas House voted to advance HB 25, the anti-transgender sports ban. Yesterday, the Texas Senate followed suit, passing the bill with slight changes the House now needs to approve. My heart broke into pieces as we watched the last two days unfold.

My heart is broken for trans kids across Texas who have had to watch and listen to prolonged debates about their humanity and right to be included in normal school activities. My heart is broken for trans adults who will continue to face discrimination and violence in Texas by individuals emboldened by the vitriolic modeled behavior of some legislators. My heart is broken for the parents who courageously showed up time and time again to the capitol in fierce support of their innocent children. My heart is broken for the kids who will be too afraid to love themselves and live authentically because they have internalized the words of extremist politicians and as a result will not discover their magnificence. Lastly, my heart is broken for community advocates and partners whose reality became working 14 hour days to protect trans kids. And although my heart was broken Thursday night it is not beyond repair.

We did our very best during the House debate and have put up a valiant fight for the last 10 months. I truly believe that if we want the best of what the world has to offer we have to offer the world our best, and we have done that time and time again. Thank you so much for every single effort you have put into this fight. I’m so grateful and proud of everyone who have joined us on the frontlines, our community partners who have given so much of themselves to bravely lead during unprecedented and difficult times, our allied lawmakers who put up a brave fight, and all Equality Texans who understand the importance of living a life marked by authenticity, diversity, uniqueness, and the richness it brings to our communities. Hope is never lost. Even during setbacks — there is still good in the world.

You may not be able to see it now but we are planting seeds, inspiring new leaders who will emerge as a result of our collective strength, perseverance, tenacity, kindness, and bravery in the face of hate and opposition. Your presence and efforts remind me of the Texas my grandmother used to speak so lovingly about. You are my source of strength and motivation when times get tough. We will never give up our fight for the rights of trans people. Better days are coming.

 

WHAT IS NEXT:

During the House floor debate, known anti-transgender lawmaker Representative Bryan Slaton added an amendment opening the door up to physical exams of children, forcing them to “prove” their gender in order to play sports with their friends. Yesterday, the Senate took out this harmful language before passing the bill.

Because the Senate changed the House version, the next step is for the House to approve the change. This is a quick up-or-down vote without the opportunity for more amendments or lengthy speeches. We anticipate that the House will accept the removal of the Slaton language today and vote to move the bill to the Governor’s desk for his signature, the final step in the legislative process.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

 

Students on a tour to the Capitol from Mesquite High School asked for a photo. Cisgender students support their transgender friends and classmates.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EQUALITY TEXAS STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF HB 25

October 14, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Contact:

Angela Hale | angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

Kara Watkins-Chow | kara.watkinschow@berlinrosen.com

 

IN THE MOST EXTREME ANTI-LGBTQ+ SESSION IN TEXAS HISTORY, TEXAS HOUSE ADVANCES SPORTS BAN TARGETING TRANSGENDER CHILDREN

 

AUSTIN (October 14, 2021) — Today, the Texas House passed HB 25, an anti-transgender sports ban targeting innocent school-age children. Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, responded:

“The passage of HB 25 is a hateful, targeted attack on transgender people living in Texas,” said Ricardo Martinez (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas. “Extremists in our Legislature have continuously leveraged cruel rhetoric and rampant misinformation to coordinate this attack on the transgender community — young children in particular — and have sent a clear message that Texas is not a safe place for them to live. 

“HB 25 singles out transgender children and permanently prohibits them from the foundational opportunities that sports provide children, like camaraderie with friends and learning lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy exercise. It is yet another attack in a long year that has already been the most harmful legislative year on record for LGBTQ+ Texans, with over 50 bills targeting their health, safety, and humanity. Throughout four traumatizing legislative sessions, we’ve seen increased requests for help from families facing anti-LGBTQ+ threats as a result of this hostile climate. The “debate” over this anti-transgender bill is already exacerbating intolerance, fueling discrimination, and solidifying Texas’ reputation as the leading state for violence against trans people. 

“As the legislative process continues, and HB 25 moves to the Texas Senate, we will not stop fighting to protect transgender children. We’ll continue to educate lawmakers — replacing misinformation with real stories — and demand the statewide and federal nondiscrimination protections we need to prevent further harms. Transgender kids, adults, and their families are not political collateral. They deserve every fundamental right and opportunity that all other Texans have. Our lawmakers have a responsibility to do their job and enact policies that help all Texas families thrive, rather than perpetuating targeted oppression against young children and their families.” 

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EQUALITY TEXAS RELEASES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF HB 25 BY THE HOUSE CALENDARS COMMITTEE

October 13, 2021 by Johnathan Gooch

Contact:

Debi Jackson | debi.jackson@equalitytexas.orgAngela Hale | angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

 

October 13, 2021 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, today released a statement on the passage of HB 25 through the Calendars Committee to the full House of Representatives. Ricardo Martinez (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas, released the following statement:

“The Texas Legislature’s unrelenting assault on transgender children continued today as the House Calendars Committee voted to move HB 25 to the full House without deliberation. The only word to describe this move is cruel. Despite unequivocal evidence of the harm filing, hearing, and debating anti-trans bills has caused trans kids and their families and overwhelming community opposition at each and every hearing, legislators choose to ignore the voices of the people. They are putting politics above people — above innocent children.

“The majority of Texans believe discrimination against LGBTQ+ people is wrong. Common sense policy doesn’t seek to harm Texans or ignore the negative implications of bills being proposed. Transgender children participating in sports is not a national emergency or a Texas emergency; these attacks on trans kids and the ongoing trauma to the trans community certainly are. This is unconscionable. We will continue to show up to the Capitol in opposition of these bills and will do everything we can to ensure they are defeated once and for all.”

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.

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