From the inbox, from Equality Texas:
Monday, 3/27
Action Alerts & Upcoming HearingsHB 1686, the companion bill to SB 14, would ban trans youth from access to health care. We cannot let this pass. The hearing for HB 1686 begins at 8:00am, but we’ll be there bright and early to register to testify. Hearing details & RSVP.
Community Action: Drop a card (opposing), submit written testimony, call committee members.
Tuesday, 3/28
HB 2055 would repeal an antiquated law that bans same-sex relationships. Despite being overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2003 (Lawrence v. Texas) that law remains on the books in Texas.
Community Action: Drop a card (supporting), submit written testimony.
HB 1507 would ban pride celebrations in schools. Pride celebrations are important because they show LGBTQ+ kids that their identities are valid and worth celebrating. Hearing details and sign-up.
Community Action: Drop a card (opposing), submit written testimony, call committee members.
Wednesday, 3/29
HB 1952 would ban updates to gender markers on birth certificates. Hearing notice and details.
Community Action: Drop a card (opposing), submit written testimony, call committee members.
HB 888 would modify medical malpractice law to increase liability for doctors providing care to trans youth. Hearing notice and details.
Community Action: Drop a card (opposing), submit written testimony, call committee members.
This Week’s Hearing Highlight Reel:
SB 14 (Trans youth healthcare ban)
While we were rallying outside the Capitol on Monday afternoon, SB 14 moved out of committee. It is scheduled to be debated on the Senate Floor on Tuesday, March 28th. A committee hearing for SB 14’s companion bill, HB 1686, is also scheduled for Monday. We’re planning something big, and we need everyone there. Details about our plan for 3/27 and community actions are listed below under the Upcoming Events section.
HB 900 (Book Burning Act)
Tuesday’s hearing for HB 900 ended just after midnight and was left pending. Shoutout to Gordy, one of our Field Organizers, whose testimony summed up our feelings in this one line “The representation of my identity in literature is not obscene nor patently offensive.”
SB8 (Don’t Say Gay/Trans)
On Wednesday, the day of the hearing, legislators issued a committee substitute (a new version) of SB 8. The committee substitute is even more stringent than the original bill, and would now ban all instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, regardless of any age-appropriate designation. Not even 18-year-olds in high school would have access to LGBTQ+ related materials. On top of that, while the public hearing was still happening, the committee cut off access to testimony registration and card drops. That’s where we drew the line.
This was clearly a direct attempt to silence us, but it only made us louder. We called an emergency rally for 6:30 pm, and raced to send out the information. With only an hour and a half’s notice, 100 people showed up to Draw the Line. The power of our community is unbelievable, and we are so grateful for your support, resilience, and love.
SB 12 (Drag Tax) & SB 1601 (Drag Storytime ban)
Texas drag has a long, vibrant history with many unique scenes throughout the state. Did you know San Antonio was home to a thriving drag scene 100 years ago? Drag is part of Texas history, and community support for Texas drag artists was off the charts at Thursday’s hearing. More than 900 of you shantayed over to the Capitol and dropped cards in opposition to these bills. The 19 people who dropped cards in support of the bills should really just take the L and sashay away.
FIGHT FOR OUR LIVES Rally
When the lives of our trans siblings are literally up for debate, we need everyone’s help. We need all the community power we can get to show up to the Capitol on Monday, March 27th, make some noise, and raise hell. Lives are on the line. Banning our care is unconscionable. They have blood on their hands. The rally will be midday (exact time and location TBA).
I have not been paying close attention to the Lege this session. It’s all bad, and I just don’t have it in me to wallow in it. A lot of people don’t have that choice, because this is existential for them. Here’s what can be done right now to help. In the end, we’ve got to win at the ballot box.
For a deeper dive into who is behind the anti-trans disinformation campaign that is doing so much damage you can read this story from Australian news source Crikey. They describe a bunch of fake ‘think tank’ organizations set up by just four people associated with far-right groups. These fake think tanks get cited in media reports as though they are legitimate when they are really just disinformation outlets. Since everything about them is fake I don’t have any faith that the ‘de-transitioner’ they use is real either. This person is closely associated with these people.
https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/03/10/anti-trans-disinformation-australia-transphobia/
Dear God in Heaven. I thought the post title was sarcasm, but No! I’m sure a lot of these legislators would deny bigotry to their dying breath and say they were just listening to their constituents, but I think we know better. Are there enough decent Texans to get rid of them anytime soon?