A bill that marks the Texas GOP’s fourth attempt to pass legislation targeting the participation of transgender student athletes is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The bill, which would bar transgender youths from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity, cleared a final hurdle as the Texas House…
Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ sports participation sent back to the House with amendment
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 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”…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledges to revive bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender kids
Apparently, Gov. Greg Abbott isn’t done trying to ramrod culture war issues through during the special session he called of the Texas Legislature. Texas’ Republican governor told a radio interviewer Monday that he’ll soon try to stop transgender minors from obtaining transition-related medical services, the Texas Tribune reports. Such a move would revive a push…
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…
Texas social workers will no longer be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ Texans and people with disabilities
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously to restore protections for social workers’ LGBTQ and disabled clients after backlash from advocates and lawmakers. By Edgar Walters, The Texas Tribune After backlash from lawmakers and advocates, a state board voted Tuesday to undo a rule change that would have allowed social workers to turn away…
New Texas rule lets social workers turn away clients who are LGBTQ or have a disability
A professional organization of social workers called the change “incredibly disheartening,” while Gov. Greg Abbott’s office said it was necessary to conform with existing state law. By Edgar Walters, The Texas Tribune Texas social workers are criticizing a state regulatory board’s decision this week to remove protections for LGBTQ clients and clients with disabilities who…
Obama Endorses San Antonio Candidates Wendy Davis and Gina Ortiz Jones for U.S. House Seats
San Antonio-area Democrats Wendy Davis and Gina Ortiz Jones are among 27 Texas candidates endorsed by former President Barack Obama ahead of November 3 election. Obama’s announcement was released on August 3. Obama endorsed a total of 118 candidates in 17 states, including five Democratic Senate challengers and more than four dozen state legislative candidates.…
Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton’s Letter to City of Austin Supersedes Local LGBTQ Hiring Law
On May 12, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter of warning to the mayors and county judges of the Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio metropolitan areas saying that local officials could not impose stricter Covid-19 restrictions than those mandated by Governor Greg Abbott. However, in a letter to the City of Austin and…