Contact: Angela Hale, 512-289-2995
Kara Watkins-Chow, kara.watkinschow@berlinrosen.com
TRANSGENDER KIDS AND ADULTS FORCED TO DEFEND THEIR HUMANITY ONCE AGAIN DURING A THIRD SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION – CONTINUING THE MOST HORRIFIC AND CRUEL ATTACK ON LGBTQ+ TEXANS EVER.
LGBTQ+ people do not deserve to live under constant threat and fear of their safety and well-being.
Austin, Texas – September 8, 2021 – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, responded today to Gov. Greg Abbott adding anti-trans legislation to the call for a third-called special session. With more than 60 attempts to limit the liberties and rights of LGBTQ+ people, 2021 will go down in history as the most anti-LGBTQ+ legislative year in Texas history.
“Every time these politicians have renewed their push for anti-transgender legislation, I have thought about Leon, a 9 year old trans boy whose family had to leave Texas because they felt unsafe, or Libby who has been coming to the Capitol for five years to ask legislators to stop attacking her. I think of all the trans kids and their loving families who attended rallies at the Capitol this year and who were tormented by anti-equality adults,” said Ricardo Martinez (he/him), CEO of Equality Texas. “I think about Aidelen Evans, Tiffany Thomas, Iris Santos, and Miss Coco Chanel Wortham — all transgender Texans who have tragically lost their lives to violence in 2021. The unequivocal evidence that bills like SB2 and SB29 are causing harm and further stigmatizing our communities has been willingly ignored. Extremist politicians are saying no to even the simplest affirmation and recognition of our humanity — refusing to use the appropriate pronouns during hearings. They actively choose not to see us even though they know that choosing to see us could save lives. Prioritizing transgender youth once again on the call is a reprehensible decision.”
“Our community has shown up to the Capitol time and time again to ask their elected officials for empathy, compassion and understanding. Instead, we have been subjected to a level of cruelty that is beneath contempt. The relentless attacks on communities of color, historically accurate education, abortion rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ rights, are attacks on the civil liberties of all Texans. When you attack one Texan, you attack all Texans. We will not back down.”
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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 Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.