![]() ![]() Sheri Allen is a member of PFLAG Fort Worth, and the founder of Makom Shelanu, a religious Jewish congregation in Fort Worth that advocates for social justice issues. ![]() "Even if it's just for the kids to know, there are religious people who affirm you, who care about you, who love you, and who will are willing to stand up for you."Įven for parents of trans adults, the potential impact of this legislation is overwhelming. "It's so important for affirming clergy to show up," Allen said. ![]() Makom Shelanu Puck Glass and cantor Sheri Allen at Makom Shelanu's first service in Fort Worth. “If you actually want to sit there and say that these laws are about protecting kids, you're either lying or incompetent,” Eric said. While supporters of SB 14 say the legislation would “prevent children and adolescents from being harmed by treatments and procedures” related to gender affirmation and transition, Eric said he believes it’s about political power. So, they want to make sure that everybody is silenced.” “Obviously, they can't come out and say that they just want to get rid of the kids. “As a parent, it's tough for me, because not only are trans kids being targeted, but the parents of the kids are being targeted,” Eric said. While legal action has paused some of those investigations, there’s still not clarity on whether the department can resume them at any time.Ĭorbin’s dad said these months of back and forth have been difficult on everyone in the community. Greg Abbott issued directives to the department to investigate the parents and families of trans youth for providing gender-affirming care. But there’s not a whole lot we’re able to do.”įamilies with trans kids who reached out to Texas legislators in the past were targeted in 2022 by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. ![]() The adults in the group are trying to help us, trying to keep us calm. So, we meet up, we hang out, we try and make good of what we can. “It's dangerous to go out in public and protest. “The majority of the group are minors, so we can't do anything but stress,” he said. Watching what’s happening at the Capitol, Corbin said he and his friends in a local LGBTQ+ group for teens have been anxious. Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature are considering about 140 anti-LGBTQ+ bills this session, according to the 2023 bill tracker from Equality Texas, regarding issues like conversations about gender in schools to access to gender-affirming health care. Trans youth and their families in Texas say laws are about politics, not protecting kids Christian singing group started singing in the rotunda while LGBTQ rights advocates protest around them. KUT LGBTQ-rights advocates hold a rally Tuesday in the Capitol rotunda ahead on a vote on a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors on May 2, 2023. “If a profession cannot regulate itself, and see where they are causing harm,” Campbell said, “somebody needs to step in there.” She said the bill is about “protecting children.” Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, is one of the authors of SB 14 and first discussed the bill during a committee meeting in March. Gender-affirming health care and transition-related care have years of research outlining their importance in supporting the health and well-being of trans and gender non-conforming people. These practices are widely endorsed by major medical associations like the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association. Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs, can include medical interventions and non-medical interventions, like affirming someone’s name and pronouns. Gender-affirming care, according to the U.S. Gender-confirmation surgeries typically occur when patients are adults, and on a case-by-case basis in young adulthood. They would also revoke the medical licenses of anyone providing this care-such as surgeries, hormone therapy and puberty blockers. He’s talking about Texas lawmakers, who turned last year’s questions and lawsuits into proposed legislation this year- Senate Bill 14 and its House companion bill, HB 1686, would ban gender-affirming care practices for Texans under 18. KUT/KUTX Ana Nguyen (she/her) holding a sign, "Transphobia makes baby Jesus cry" during a rally on Tuesday, in the Capitol rotunda ahead on a vote on a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors. ![]()
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