The parents of a 16-year-old transgender girl have sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, alleging they’re being targeted by the state after he ordered that cases where gender-affirming medical care is provided to minors be investigated as child abuse. The suit, filed Tuesday by the ACLU of Texas and Lambda Legal, asks a Travis County judge…
Transgender Texas kids are terrified after governor orders that parents be investigated for child abuse
Some experts doubt that classifying gender-affirming care as child abuse would hold up in court, but families still feel targeted by Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order By Sneha Dey and Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune Every couple of months, Adamalis Vigil drives eight hours from the Rio Grande Valley to North Texas so her…
Lambda Legal Settles Case of Trans Woman Who Suffered Abuse in Texas Prisons
Lambda Legal has settled a lawsuit in the case of Passion Star, a black transgender woman who experienced repeated rapes, physical assaults and an attack with a razor while she was incarcerated in all-male prisons in Texas. The agreement, which was announced on March 15, includes a monetary settlement and an update to the state…
Trans Prisoner Granted Parole After Years of Violent Abuse
Originally published in the San Antonio Current Passion Star, formally known as Joshua Zollicoffer, has filed more than 30 grievances for the chronic sexual and physical abuse she’s endured as a transgender women within the Texas prison system. For her past 14 years behind bars, Star’s grievances have largely been ignored by prison officials. Only…
Trans Woman Released on Parole from Texas Men’s Prison
A transgender woman named Passion Star was granted parole on December 6 after serving 14 years of a 20 year sentence at all-male detention facilities, most recently at the Telford State Prison in Bowie County, Texas. “Passion’s experience in custody has been punctuated by acts of interpersonal and institutional violence,” Demoya Gordon, an attorney with…
On the Chartreuse Couch: Gene Elder Interviews Michelle Friesenhahn
Gene: Michelle, how nice to see you again. You are looking great as always. Thanks for joining me on the Chartreuse Couch, “my own private Alamo.” We have known each other for many years now. I even remember Shocking Gray. And this was before there were 50 shades. Who knew? I do want to talk about all…