FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512.289.2995 angela.hale@equalitytexas.org
Equality Texas and the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) Release Statement on the Texas Legislature’s Unprecedented Attack on Transgender Children
Austin, Texas – April 15, 2021- Equality Texas, Today, 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, trans-led, trans-focused organization in the state of Texas, released a statement on the Senate’s passing of SB 29, an anti-trans athletic bill.
“Today, the Texas Senate passed the Senate Bill 29, legislation aimed at banning transgender youth from participating in sports. Texas State Senators have failed to provide any examples of specific issues in Texas to justify this unprecedented attack on transgender youth. The passing of this bill is discriminatory, targets our most vulnerable children and is not supported by fact. Collegiate and professional sports organizations have had trans-inclusive policies for years without incident — in Texas or anywhere else” said Ricardo Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of Equality Texas.
There are so far more than 240 anti-LGBTQ bills under consideration in state legislatures across the country. Of those, more than 115 directly target transgender people and about half of those (more than 60 bills) would, like SB 29, ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.
Emmett Schelling, Executive Director of Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) stated, “Texas is already a dangerous place for transgender people to live. Whether or not anti-trans legislation becomes law, just the debate around these bills contributes to bolstering a hostile environment toward transgender Texans, particularly transgender children. When transgender young people are treated differently, or excluded simply because of who they are — and particularly in settings like sports where feeling part of a team is essential — it can be incredibly harmful to their mental health and sense of self. The dehumanization of transgender people begins with anti-transgender stigma. SB29 perpetuates this stigma and exacerbates it.”
We would like to thank all champions of equality: Carol Alvarado, Beverly Powell, Borris Miles, Sara Eckhardt, John Whitmire, Nathan Johnson, Roland Gutierrez, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Judith Zaffirini, Royce West, José Menéndez, César Blanco and Senator Eddie Lucio who voted against this harmful bill,” said Equality Texas CEO Ricardo Martinez.
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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.
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.