March 24, 2021 by Leslie McMurray | Transgender Education and Advocacy Associate
Have you been missing out on the fun down in Austin? Here’s a quick update about what is going on in the Texas Legislature. Our elected representatives are hard at work because they only meet once every other year – to quote Willy Wonka, “there’s so much time, and so little to do! Uh, reverse that.”
As we all know, there has been a COVID-19 pandemic going on. The response by Texas state leaders has been less than responsible at times. We also had a cold snap that nearly snapped the Texas electrical grid. We also need to pass a state budget with less revenue, due to business closures.
So, the logical course of action is: file a record number of bills aimed at hurting the LGBTQIA+ community! The 2019 session featured more than 20 of these cruel pieces of legislation. This year there are more than 30! Texas is one of 50 states, yet we have filed nearly 30% of all the anti-LGBTQIA+ bills nationwide – not something to be proud of.
Clearly, for the LGBTQIA+ community, things at the Texas Legislature are getting worse, not better! What have we done to deserve that?
Some, like SB 29 the “pet” bill of former TV sportscaster turned politician Lutenient Governor Dan Patrick, target trans student athletes in the name of “fairness for women.” Incredibly, this will be getting a hearing on Friday, March 26 and we need all hands on deck to stop it.
Others, like HB 68 and HB 1399 would interfere with the doctor patient relationship by punishing doctors that treat trans kids in an affirming way. If you can put yourself in the place of a trans kid facing unwanted puberty and having the door closed on your doctor being able to help…that is terrifying and so cruel. Please help us stop these bills from ever seeing the light of day. Lives depend on it.
Want to help? Click below to tell your legislators to oppose these Bills.
