Several pieces of Texas legislation that might significantly alter the lives of gay and transgender Texans are anticipated to be debated by state legislators this year.
Republicans have introduced legislation that would limit when sexuality and gender identity are taught in schools, where drag performances are permitted, and the types of medical care that are available to transgender youth.
The law places a particular emphasis on children and young adults. Legislation relating to the college sports teams transgender students can play for and the medical care given to transgender children was given top priority in the Senate by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to outlaw “woke agendas” in schools.
Some Democratic politicians and Gay advocates are preparing for a lengthy battle. Many claims that the planned changes amount to attempts to limit people’s rights and diminish queer expression.
One such organization, Equality Texas, has noted more than 90 bad bills submitted thus far this year, surpassing the total indicated by the organization in 2021 during the course of a regular session and three special sessions.
They claim that the harm will be significant even if a small number of them do. In a January survey, the Trevor Project, a national group dedicated to preventing LGBTQ youth suicide, found that 86% of transgender adolescents and 71% of LGBTQ youth experienced negative mental health effects from legislation that affects how they live.
According to Andrea Segovia, senior field and policy adviser with the Transgender Education Network of Texas, Texas has turned into one of the most hazardous and hostile states in the nation for transgender children, adults, and their families.
The conflict occurs at a time when, according to a 2021 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute, 72% of Texans support anti-discrimination rights for LGBTQ individuals.
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LGBTQ Families Express Concerns Over Texas Bills
Late in February, East Texas Republican State Representative Bryan Slaton introduced House Bill 2889, which would lower property taxes for married couples with four or more kids.
But, same-sex married couples without children would not be eligible because only individuals in a marriage between a man and a woman would be eligible.
It’s demoralizing, said Jessica Cabrera, a pastor and LGBTQ advocate from Weslaco to ValleyCentral about the law. I find it depressing that we continue to be marginalized in modern society. For our rights, we still need to fight. We are still fighting for the same rights as any heterosexual couple.
Her own family and other LGBTQ marriages, according to her, are just as real as any other family. Married couples with four children, including adopted children, would benefit from a 40% tax savings under the proposed legislation. They wouldn’t pay taxes if they had ten or more kids.
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