The bill is one step closer to the governor’s desk. If it becomes law, Texas will join at least five other states that have passed such legislation. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune In the final days of this year’s third special session, Texas lawmakers advanced a bill that would restrict transgender student athletes from…
State agency removed online resources for LGBTQ youth after complaints from a Republican challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, emails show
Democratic state senators want the webpage reinstated. The resources were removed after Don Huffines, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, criticized their inclusion on a state website. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune Texas’ child welfare agency removed a webpage that offered resources to LGBTQ youth following complaints by one of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s GOP primary…
Texas bill limiting transgender student athletes’ sports participation clears key hurdle on way to becoming law
A House committee approved the bill despite emotional testimony from parents of transgender Texas children. This is the fourth legislative session this year in which lawmakers targeted LGBTQ kids. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune A Texas bill prohibiting transgender student athletes from joining school sports teams aligned with their gender identity is heading to…
Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ sports participation has enough votes to pass, House Speaker Dade Phelan says
Three times this year — in the regular session and in two subsequent special sessions — legislation targeting transgender student athletes sailed through the Senate only to falter in the House. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune “Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ sports participation has enough votes to pass, House Speaker Dade Phelan says”…
Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group
The decision to openly consider recognizing an LGBTQ group while simultaneously affirming the university’s belief that marriage is between a man and a woman raised concerns among supporters and opponents who say Baylor is trying to “have its cake and eat it, too.” By Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune LGBTQ students at Baylor University have…
Texas attorney general says state board can’t ban social workers from discriminating against LGBTQ or disabled people
In a nonbinding opinion, Ken Paxton said the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council doesn’t have the authority to punish social workers who refuse service to clients based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or disability status. By Isabella Zou, The Texas Tribune Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a nonbinding legal opinion Monday that…
Texas GOP’s bills targeting transgender children have exacted a mental health toll, even if they don’t become law
As the clock ticks on this year’s legislative session, the House scheduled a Tuesday floor debate for a bill that would limit transgender children’s sports team participation. Other GOP bills that would restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed a key Sunday deadline to advance. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune Houston…
Texas Senate resumes push to ban transition-related medical care for trans children, days after bill failed in House
Days after the House failed to pass a ban against gender confirmation medical care, the Senate pushed its own attempt forward. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune The Texas Senate this week quickly revived and passed a bill banning gender-affirming health care for children under 18, days after a similar House bill failed to advance…
Time runs out on Texas House bill banning gender confirmation health care for kids, but another attempt lives on in the Senate
House Bill 1399 would have banned gender confirmation surgery, hormone therapy and puberty suppression treatments for Texas’ transgender children. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune A controversial bill that would ban gender affirming health care for transgender children missed a key deadline Thursday for consideration in the Texas House. But a similar Senate bill still…
Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered child abuse under Texas Senate bill
Senate Bill 1646 is among several other bills that advocacy groups say erode the rights of transgender Texans. But it’s unclear what the legislation’s chances are in the House, where another major bill targeting transgender children appears to have stalled. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune “Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered…