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 LAWMAKERS MOVE FORWARD ANTI-TRANSGENDER LAW TARGETING KIDS

AUSTIN (August 20, 2021) – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ+ Texans, responded today to the resumption of the 87(2) Legislative Session. 

“It’s a heartbreaking day for transgender young people and adults and their families,” said Ricardo Martinez (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas. “For months, and through three legislative sessions, trans kids and adults have been demonized, attacked, and insulted by extremist politicians, and they’re traumatized. Transgender kids and adults simply want to be left alone, so they can feel safe and welcome in all areas of life. Instead, they wait in agony as their humanity is set to be debated once again at the Capitol.

“The ceaseless public debate and subsequent misinformation spread about LGBTQ+ people — particularly trans people — has exacerbated intolerance. We have already seen evidence of increased requests for help to address anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in schools and in communities at-large. In the last week alone, we assisted the family of a nonbinary child who had faced in-school suspension for wearing their hair too long, submitted a letter in support of a nonbinary teacher who was asked to resign over their use of the Mx. honorific, received reports of a man who physically assaulted a trans woman unprovoked at the Davenport Lounge in Clear Lake, and mourned the loss of CoCo Chanel Wortham, a Black trans woman, who was murdered Aug. 7 in Dallas. These are all a result of the hostile climate that threatens the ability of transgender kids and adults to live healthy lives.

“Transgender kids are resilient and will keep speaking out against this dangerous bill, but the truth is, they shouldn’t have to be so resilient. They shouldn’t have to work to secure a safe childhood for themselves. Transgender kids, like all kids, deserve the chance to participate in sports and physical education at school so they can benefit from learning about teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy exercise. Our lawmakers have no business tearing kids down just to build up their political profiles. They should halt this pointless bill in its tracks, focus on real leadership, and pass policies that help all Texas families thrive.”

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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.