Calling All Allies: NOW is the Time to Stand Up!

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We are facing the most dangerous and urgent bills yet from the Texas Legislature. Stand with us today to say NO to these attacks!

This is an "all hands on deck" situation. If you are a member or ally of the LGBTQIA+ community we need you to take action today. The most dangerous bills we have seen yet are progressing in the legislature. HB 1686, a bill that would end access to affirming care for transgender youth is set for a hearing on Monday.

We need your voice in opposition to be heard. Take action today to help stop bad bills.

Step 1. Send this message to your members of the legislature. Feel free to add your own story and thoughts on how these bills would impact you and your loved ones.

Step 2. Call your legislator's office and tell them to "oppose HB 1686 and all anti-LGBTQIA+ bills. Do not let them move to the floor." Their phone number is listed under the message.

Step 3. Submit written testimony in opposition. This will become part of the official record. Submit your written testimony here.

Step 4. Can you travel to Austin to testify in person? Sign up and get more information on how to do that here.

Background on selected bad bills:

HB 1686/SB14/SB 250: would ban affirming healthcare for trans youth in many circumstances. This type of bill failed in the 2021 session and is back with a vengeance this year. All major medical associations have endorsed best-practice, age-appropriate care that is often lifesaving for transgender youth. Legislators have no place in private medical decisions.

HB 900: a "book ban" bill that gives school districts, libraries and local authorities broad powers to remove books. Explicit content is already illegal under Texas law. The real intent of bills like this is to erase any positive representation of LGBTQIA+ identities.

SB 8: a Texas-style "Don't Say Gay/Trans" bill that would enact a total ban on K-12 instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Also includes an onerous book review policy.

HB 1507: a bill that would prohibit any public school instruction or "celebration" of sexual orientation. This would be a ban on recognizing LGBTQIA+ identities including Pride celebrations.

More than 140 bills that target our community have been filed and it is clear some lawmakers are amplifying their attacks on LGBTQIA+ Texans. We have faced threats before but this is the biggest onslaught we have seen. We need you to take action urgently!

Contacting your representative through e-mail and phone calls has never been more important!

Make sure to sign up for Resource Center advocacy alerts to stay in the loop as the session progresses!

We just need a few pieces of information to connect you with your elected officials:

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Calling All Allies: NOW is the Time to Stand Up!

Your Members of the Texas Legislature

Subject: Stop HB 1686 and all Anti-LGBTQIA+ Bills

Message:

As your constituent, I am counting on you to oppose all anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that are on the move in the legislature. HB 1686, a bill that would end age-appropriate, best practice, scientifically-proven, life-saving healthcare for transgender youth, must be stopped. This cruel bill is out of step with all major medical associations, and jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of youth in our state. Even the debate around these bills is having a negative impact on mental health for transgender youth. These decisions are best left to patients, families and doctors, not the legislature. I also urge you to oppose HB 900, SB 8, HB 1507 and all "book ban" and "Don't Say Gay/Trans" bills that would further marginalize LGBTQIA+ youth at school. These are solutions in search of a problem that place a huge burden on local libraries and school districts. Every child and young adult should see themselves reflected in the classroom, and LGBTQIA+ youth should be no exception. Blatant attacks in past sessions such as the “bathroom bill” in 2017, attempts to gut non-discrimination protections in 2019 and restricting participation in school sports in 2021, were counterproductive and divisive. With so many legitimate issues facing our state, we urge you to devote critical legislative time to the real priorities -- not attacks on fellow Texans. These attacks are out of step with public opinion in our state. They also needlessly harm the state’s reputation to attract business from other parts of the country. People of all political, geographic, religious and ethnic stripes support equal rights and protections for the LGBTQIA+ community. As your constituent, I call on you to protect ALL Texans and to oppose bills that attack transgender youth and that undermine protections for LGBTQIA+ Texans. Thank you for your attention.

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