FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: EQUALITY TEXAS, THE TRANSGENDER EDUCATION NETWORK OF TEXAS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HOST DEMONSTRATION AND PRESS CONFERENCE IN OPPOSITION OF ANTI-TRANS SPORTS BILL
Contact: Debi Jackson | debi.jackson@equalitytexas.org
Angela Hale | angela.hale@equalitytexas.org
TRANSGENDER KIDS AND ADULTS FORCED TO DEFEND THEIR HUMANITY ONCE AGAIN DURING A THIRD SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
LGBTQ+ people do not deserve to live under constant threat and fear of their safety and well-being.
Austin, Texas – September 20, 2021 – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, , and The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), the largest statewide, BIPOC trans-led, trans-focused policy, education, and advocacy organization in the state of Texas, announce demonstration and press conference to take place on 9/20/2021 in opposition of cruel and unnecessary anti-trans sports bill. Parents of transgender youth, mental health clinicians, allies, lawmakers and loved ones will gather at the south steps of the Capitol building at noon during protest and in the Speakers Press Room at 2PM.
WHAT: Texans Deserve Better: Community Organizations, Parents, Lawmakers, Mental Health Experts, Speak Out Against Anti-Trans Legislation
WHEN: Monday, September 20
Demonstration: 12:00PM – 1:00PM
Press Conference: 2:00PM live-streamed on Facebook
WHERE: Demonstration: South Steps of Capitol
Press Conference: Speakers Press Conference Room
Back Up Location: E.2 Capitol Outdoor Rotunda in the Extension
“We have tried to bring attention to the dangers of allowing and prioritizing extremist ideology disguised as cultural emergencies and the accompanying hateful rhetoric at the Texas legislature since the beginning of the year. It is unconscionable that trans children are prioritized once again during a third-called special session. This has been a cruel and unrelenting assault against innocent young Texans and their families, who should be allowed to live without the constant fear and anxiety that the legislature will pass laws to harm them. These debates have perpetuated divisiveness, fortified a culture of discrimination, and placed a target on the backs of marginalized communities,” said Ricardo Martinez (he/him), CEO of Equality Texas.
“The impact is playing out in real time across Texas schools. Equality Texas has seen a marked increase in reports of bullying and harassment in schools. Recent examples include reports of school administrators misgendering transgender kids, Dallas ISD teachers being encouraged to release private student information and violate clearly established law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and a teacher from Katy seeking help with the worst bullying against transgender students that she has seen in her 16 years of teaching.”
Emmett Schelling (he/him), Executive Director of TENT, stated “I can’t comprehend how lawmakers who have failed to adequately address the recent surge of COVID-19 cases across the state can instead double down on prioritizing attacking and isolating transgender young people that already experienced unique mental health challenges and record rates of violence over the past year. Trevor’s crisis counselors have fielded over 14,500 calls, texts, and online messages from young LGBTQ Texans looking for support in the last year. Aidelen Evans, Tiffany Thomas, Iris Santos, and Miss Coco Channel were all transgender Texans who have tragically lost their lives to violence in 2021. Texas is a leading state in an actual emergency: the murders of Black and Brown transgender women. There are plenty of pressing issues for state leaders to discuss during next week’s special session. Preventing transgender and nonbinary young people from playing school sports with their friends should not be one of them.”
PRESS CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS:
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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.
The Transgender Education Network of Texas is the largest statewide, BIPOC trans-led, trans-focused policy, education, and advocacy organization in the state of Texas.
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