Texas just fully declared war on trans children and their parents. Today, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has declared all forms of gender-affirming care not only illegal, but prosecutable. If parents attempt to access care for their trans children, they run the risk of being persecuted as child abusers.
Please know this is happening across the country and world… we trans people NEED your help. Families are going to be ripped apart and kids are going to die https://t.co/pUwuhO4qC5
— Legally Mara 🔥 (@SilverSh33p) February 23, 2022
Not only that, but citizens are encouraged to “report” parents seeking help for their child’s transition. This includes doctors, teachers, and friends.
Greg Abbot has officially directed Family and Protective Services to begin investigating all trans children in Texas and prosecuting their parents as child abusers.
He has also instructed all teachers, doctors, and caregivers to begin reporting any trans students they see. pic.twitter.com/AO4FdYNuym
— Erin, Trail Mom (@ErinInTheMorn) February 23, 2022
“If you are a parent of a trans kid in Texas,” wrote Erin, “NOW is the time to get out.”
Trans writers and activists are heartbroken, angry, and calling for allyship from those who hold the highest offices in this country:
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At what point are the national media and lawmakers going to pay attention to what’s happening to trans kids in Texas? When kids are being removed from their homes? When doctors are being put on trial? When parents are being locked in jail? pic.twitter.com/u9KzKGdm9d
— Gillian Branstetter (@GBBranstetter) February 23, 2022
Texas has declared its intention to begin kidnapping trans youth from their parents.
Where are our allies? Why are they silent?
Biden? Harris?
Any senator? AOC?
What about “left media”?
Joy Reid? Rachel Maddow?It’s crickets out there.
Do better, cis people.
— Erin, Trail Mom (@ErinInTheMorn) February 22, 2022
This is not a time to stay silent.
in case you’re unaware of how bad it is for trans kids in Texas right now:
– gender-affirming care is effectively banned
– trans kids can be removed from their parents’ custody, and put in state custody
– teachers, doctors etc. must report them to the state, or face prosecution https://t.co/BfQ8fY2xfR— bailey (@howdybai) February 22, 2022
I checked in with some of the people I met in Texas covering the anti-trans bills about AG Paxton’s opinion that affirming trans kids is abuse. While not legally binding, it’s sent a message: the state supports separating trans kids from their families.
https://t.co/O4N3AYj7MQ— Melissa Gira Grant (@melissagira) February 23, 2022
If you think it’s not a big deal, take a look at this thread and try to imagine what it’s like to be the parent of a trans child right now.
POV: You’re the mother of an 11-year-old trans kid in Texas. One of your child’s classmates caught COVID and now your kid has a fever of 102 and a hacking cough. Do you take them to the ER, knowing the nurses may report you as a child abuser?
— Gillian Branstetter (@GBBranstetter) February 23, 2022
This is extreme state violence: the Texas AG is enforcing by written opinion the most horrific anti-trans bill that failed to pass in the legislature last year. I can’t understate how dangerous this is. It’s open season on trans kids in Texas. https://t.co/zRC8fNufBj
— Jules Gill-Peterson (@gp_jls) February 22, 2022
There is some good news, at least. For families looking to relocate, community support is here.
Email me at [email protected] and I’ll add you as an editor so you can put your information in! The spreadsheet itself is here:https://t.co/Kzf6N3QzVN
— L. Silvertongue IS NOT DAREDEVIL (@PinkRangerLB) February 23, 2022
For those unable to leave Texas, a few organizations like TENT and Equality Texas may be able to help.
Upon Googling, I’ve found TENT, the Transgender Education Network of Texas: https://t.co/JSH45yLfTC They run a trans lobby day and do education around trans issues around the state.
— Mx. D.E. Anderson (@diannaeanderson) February 23, 2022
Most importantly, this is a time to be loud. Mainstream outlets and politicians are actively ignoring what’s going on, and it’s up to us to spread the word and fight back.
What is going on in Texas is fucking terrifying. If you can, reach out and get loud about protecting trans youth in Texas ❤ god knows they need it. https://t.co/oaqtaCyuDi
— Esme (@discount_Ripley) February 23, 2022
It really cannot be overstated how cruel and dangerous this Texas law about trans kids is.
— Sophie Bee (@pogform) February 23, 2022
Texas is making being trans a crime. Absolutely inhumane and horrific. https://t.co/1KcmKcXPiC
— dr simón(e) • 17β (@simonedsun) February 23, 2022
