How to help those fighting transgender discrimination in Texas

As at least seven states push for limits on how school curricula discuss LGBTQ topics and gender and sexuality, Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues adding fuel to the fire with a new political call that jeopardizes the safety of transgender children in his home state. 

Abbot issued a statement to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on Feb. 23, which called on the department to investigate those who provide gender affirming care to kids. It follows an opinion issued by the state’s Attorney General, which alleged that affirmative healthcare for trans and gender nonconforming youth, such as gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies, is child abuse. It is not.

More than 30 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in Texas last year, with Governor Abbott signing into law an anti-trans sports ban for Texas public schools.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published new research Friday on the importance of gender-affirming healthcare for trans and gender diverse youth. The research provides further support for the claim that early access to gender-affirming health care during adolescence is associated with lower risk of suicide and other adverse mental health outcomes.

The American Civil Liberties Union clarified in a Twitter thread that the governor’s statement didn’t have any legal basis and couldn’t be enforced under the current law, but does “spread fear and misinformation, and could spur false reporting of child abuse.” Due to this fear, some worry the announcement may discourage families from providing these life-saving treatments to their trans and gender nonconforming children, and place undue scrutiny on health professionals. It’s unclear how the directive will be enforced in practice.

The White House also responded to Abbot’s anti-trans statements, calling the actions of Texas elected officials dangerous. “No parent should face the agony of a politician standing in the way of accessing life-saving care for their child,” White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told the Dallas Morning News.

Transgender kids and their families are rightfully shocked, even fearful, of the continued decisions by their political leaders to single out trans children. While many online are suggesting these families move out of Texas as soon as possible, it’s not a feasible solution for many.

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While Texas residents grapple with the ongoing attacks on LGBTQ rights, here’s a list of resources to support the safety of trans children and their families in Texas.

Share resources for education and activism

Twitter has of course responded to this week’s events, with numerous users compiling and sharing threads with various resources for Texas residents. 

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Consider sharing the LGBTQIA+ Student Rights Toolkit — created by ACLU Texas, nonprofit legal advocacy group Lambda Legal, the Transgender Education Network of Texas, and nonprofit political advocacy group Equality Texas  — online and with students in your area if you live in Texas. The toolkit includes explanations of current law that prohibits discrimination, guidance for handling discrimination in school settings, and a list of resources and contact information to get support.

The organizations above also host the TX Trans Kids website, which guides trans children and their families through their legal rights and local organizations who can provide assistance. The website has an additional list with mental health resources, as well as statewide and city-specific organizations ready to support families.

Donate to Texas-based LGBTQ organizations

As well as donating to nationwide LGBTQ rights organizations, such as The Trevor Project, GLAAD, and the National Center for Transgender Equality, support trans and queer organizations that offer resources to communities in Texas.

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• Donations to Equality Texas, as well as its foundation, go towards the organization’s mission to secure LGBTQ equality through political and legal advocacy, education, and community organizing. The Equality Texas Foundation educates Texans around “discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”

• ACLU Texas accepts general donations that go toward its mission to uphold the civil liberties of all Texans. Donations can’t be earmarked specifically for fighting anti-trans legislation at this time, but you can send requests to [email protected].

• The Texas GSA Network, a state affiliate of the nationwide Genders & Sexualities Alliances Network, helps connect LGBTQ-led student clubs around the state. You can donate to its work online, which will facilitate its efforts of establishing and empowering LGBTQ youth leaders.

• Fiesta Youth is a San Antonio-based queer youth organization that provides safe spaces, programming, and scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Monetary donations help support its programming, or you can donate through its Amazon Wish List.

• DFW Trans Kids and Families connects families, advocates, and medical professionals, and provides social and mental health support to the trans community in the Dallas Fort Worth area. You can donate here.

• Hatch Youth, a program out of Houston-based LGBTQ organization The Montrose Center, is a youth and parent-focused resource for those seeking weekly community, educational programming, and other forms of health and social support. Donations to Hatch Youth funds supplies for programming, survival kits for homeless youth, and other community needs.

• The Transgender Education Network of Texas provides a Community Emergency Relief Fund to trans, non binary, and intersex Texans in need. You can donate to the fund here. Applications for the fund are currently on pause, but inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

• The Organizacíon Latina de Trans en Texas is a community-based, trans-led organization that provides health and education services, community resources, and legal help for trans Texans. The organization is supported entirely by charitable donations, and you can donate here.

• Allgo is a nonprofit community organizing and support group that provides resources and assistance to queer people of color in Austin, Texas. You can donate to the organization’s work, including free cultural, health, and social justice programming, here.

Vote for equitable legislation

The battle to protect trans and other LGBTQ youth requires on-the-ground work, mutual aid, and advocacy, but it also necessitates us to pressure our political representatives to enact safe, equitable legislation — and fight against legislation that may cause harm. It’s a cause that also extends far beyond the Texas border. 

To air your opinions directly to the Texas governor, fill out the office’s official contact form or call his office at (512) 463-2000. The Attorney General’s office can be reached at (512) 463-2100.

You can track anti-transgender legislation across the country using this tool from Freedom For All Americans, a bipartisan campaign pushing for non-discrimination legislation that protects LGBTQ Americans. 

And make sure to vote in your upcoming midterm elections for politicians who have been outspoken about supporting LGBTQ-inclusive legislation.  

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This article will be updated with more resources as they become available.