Press Press Release on the passage of HB 25 in the TX House of Representatives (10/14/21)

October 14, 2021
For Immediate Release        
Contact: Andrea Segovia 
Email: info@transtexas.org


House Bill 25 Passes, Trans Children Used Again for Political Wins

Trans Children and Families Face an Uncertain Future


AUSTIN, TX -- this evening, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 25, which will exclude transgender children in K-12 schools from participating in UIL governed sports. This is a devastating end to a 10 month-long battle. Trans children and their loved ones have been subjected to bullying and belittling by the sponsors and supporters of the legislation. HB 25 at the heart of it has the goal to remove trans people from public spaces. Plain and simple, HB 25 is a state mandated genital inspection that will not only affect trans youth, but all children that do not fit in a make-believe box of two genders.


The anti-trans legislation has been a high priority each session called by Governor Greg Abbott, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) has proudly worked alongside community partners, children and their family members, advocates, and activists who have made thousands of phone calls and visits to the Capitol for the last 10 months. We want to remind our community and ally’s that even though it might not feel this way, we are on the right side of history when it comes to justice for trans people in Texas.


 “We are disappointed and devastated that HB25 has passed in the House. Despite the overwhelming testimonies and facts presented to the legislature in opposition to the bill, proving how harmful this bill will be to trans children, their loved ones, and our LGBTQ community they treated our trans youth like political pawns. I want to remind people of Texas, our trans youth are not your political pawns.” said executive director of TENT, Emmett Schelling.


“The last several months have been exhausting and traumatic, and what the trans community has endured at the hands of a government that should represent us is inexcusable. What the members of the Texas house did tonight was allow state mandated gential inspections to occur in our schools. Our trans youth in Texas absolutely deserve better than this.” said Field/Policy Coordinator of TENT, Andrea Segovia. 


TENT Intern, Landon Richie wants our trans community members to know: “Our identities and love for one another will not be taken from us by the state or any government. Every time our community and our rights are attacked, TENT will be there, and we are honored to keep working with and fighting for the Texas trans community until our right to exist is fully acknowledged and respected, once and for all. To all trans kids out there, we see you and love you.”


The Transgender Education Network of Texas is currently the only trans-led, statewide organization dedicated to furthering gender diverse equality in Texas through policy change. TENT works to accomplish its mission through a racial justice lense via education, advocacy, and empowerment of trans voices throughout Texas.


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Location: Texas, USA

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