While there are currently 780 confirmed monkeypox cases statewide, Texas cities are bracing for an increase in infections. by Karen Brooks Harper and Joshua Fechte, The Texas Tribune Dallas and Austin officials have declared monkeypox a public health emergency — bids both to get in line for federal funding and to send a message to…
UT-Dallas is investigating a professor’s homophobic tweet with misinformation about monkeypox
LGBTQ students want the university to take “substantive action” against the computer science professor for his tweet, which included misinformation about how the monkeypox virus spreads. by Kate McGee, The Texas Tribune Robert Aden Lonergan went to high school in Waxahachie and remembers a class in which students held a debate about whether transgender people…
After extremists’ arrests in Idaho, LGBTQ Texans and Pride organizers balance safety with desire to celebrate their identities
Some LGBTQ Texans are trying to navigate plans to commemorate the catalyst of their civil rights movement with concerns about safety after 31 members of a Texas-based hate group were charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event in Idaho. by Jaden Edison, The Texas Tribune When 31 members of a Texas-based white supremacist…
Texas Supreme Court allows child abuse investigations into families of transgender teens to continue
The high court also raised questions about why the state opened these investigations in the first place, noting that the child welfare agency is not bound by directives from the governor. By Eleanor Klibanoff, Texas Tribune Texas’ child welfare agency remains blocked from investigating the family of a transgender teen that sued the state in…
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants Texas version of Florida law that critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”
The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade. By Brian Lopez and Emily Hernandez, The Texas Tribune Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he will prioritize passing Texas legislation that mimics the recently signed Florida bill referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. That…
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…
Trans kids and supporters say new Texas law will keep them out of school sports
School districts have said they will abide by the law, but it’s still unclear how they will determine whether a student’s birth certificate was issued near the time of birth. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune Julia wouldn’t describe herself as the “biggest sports person” in the world. She’s not into basketball or football. She…
Texas schools rethink gender-based dress code policies after discrimination claims raise new legal issues
Recent high-profile incidents and lawsuits have led some districts to make their dress code policies more gender- and race-neutral. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune “Texas schools rethink gender-based dress code policies after discrimination claims raise new legal issues” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans —…
“Left out of the conversation”: Transgender Texans feel the impact of state’s restrictive abortion law
While Texas’ controversial abortion law strictly refers to women in its phrasing, it also limits access to the procedure for transgender and nonbinary people who are able to become pregnant. By Neelam Bohra, The Texas Tribune Samson Winsor moved across the country from Utah to Austin in 2019, hoping he would feel less out of…
How Texas Republicans moved beyond a bathroom bill to successfully ban transgender athletes from school sports
In 2017, conservative lawmakers failed to pass legislation targeting transgender Texans. Things were different this year. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune For state Rep. Celia Israel, the priority issues for the Legislature this year seemed quite obvious as the legislative session got underway in January. She expected lawmakers to grapple over the state’s response…