Senate Bill 14 would ban doctors from providing kids with transition-related treatments that medical groups recommend for children with gender dysphoria.
LGBTQ+ Texans
About 1.8 million Texans are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — the second-highest such population for any U.S. State — according to the Public Policy Institute of California. In recent years, state officials and lawmakers have pursued legislation and policies that could dramatically affect LGBTQ+ Texans’ lives. Texas Tribune reporters are covering LGBTQ+ Texans’ lives and how these bills, laws and directives impact them.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
The Texas House has a record number of LGBTQ representatives as lawmakers face scores of bills focused on gender and sexuality
The Texas Legislature has nine lawmakers who are openly LGBTQ, all Democrats. At the same time, some Republican lawmakers are pushing a slate of bills aimed at drag queens, transgender children and how sexuality is discussed in schools.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Republican Texas lawmakers rally around bill restricting the college sports teams transgender athletes can join
Seventy-seven Texas House Republicans signed on as co-authors to state Rep. Valoree Swanson’s bill extending restrictions on transgender athletes to college sports. Gov. Greg Abbott has expressed support for the legislation, which is also a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
How Texas activists turned drag events into fodder for outrage
The Tribune analyzed more than two dozen anti-drag protests. Opponents frequently characterized the drag events as catering to children, even when businesses advertised them as adults-only or provided warnings about the potential for explicit material.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Texas House speaker addresses prospects of anti-LGBTQ bills, gun legislation and casinos
At the start of his second term leading the lower chamber, Dade Phelan talked to reporters about several legislative issues that will be decided this year.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Two Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools
The legislation closely mirrors a Florida bill passed last year, dubbed by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which detractors say would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
“I want to fight”: LGBTQ Texans ready for legislative session as GOP lawmakers target them in dozens of bills
Republicans are backing legislation targeting gender-affirming care for children, classroom lessons about sexuality and drag shows.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Texas attorney general’s office sought state data on transgender Texans
The behind-the-scenes effort by Ken Paxton’s office to obtain data on how many Texans had changed their gender on their licenses came as he and other Republican leaders in the state have been publicly marshaling resources against transgender Texans.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Texas’ child welfare agency blocked from investigating many more parents of trans teens
Friday’s injunction applies to all members of PFLAG, an LGBTQ advocacy group with more than 600 members in Texas.
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LGBTQ+ Texans
Mom says trans eighth grader was questioned by Texas investigator at school
A declaration recounting the incident was filed as part of an ongoing lawsuit by LGBTQ legal advocates.