HOUSTON – Among the thousands of bills filed in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, including a record number of deemed “anti-LGBTQ+ bills” that will soon become law.
EXPLAINER: Texas lawmakers file record number of bills deemed anti-LGBTQ+
As a gay man in Houston, Brad Pritchett, interim CEO of Equality Texas, says the debate in Austin is personal for him. It also hits close to home for Mandy Giles, a mother of three with two transgender children
“Knowing Texas, specifically the Texas government, doesn’t want people like my kids to exist publicly... to get the healthcare that they need,” she explained. “That does hurt.”
Through her children’s journey of coming out and her own journey of understanding and acceptance, Giles started a support group for other parents, Parents of Trans Youth.
“For most parents, when their child comes out as transgender or somewhere on the gender spectrum, it can be confusing,” she noted. “They have a lot of learning to do and a lot of processing.”
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According to Giles and Pritchett, the current climate can be too much for some families, forcing some to make tough choices.
“The thing about LGBTQ Texans, we’ve got community,” Pritchett shared. “I’ve watched families pack up and leave the state, a lot of them. And come to me in tears, saying I feel like I’m giving up on my state, but they’re doing the thing that a parent should do — they’re putting their family first.”
Giles sees the impact firsthand. When asked if her transgender children are scared, she replied emotionally.
“I don’t know if they’re scared. They don’t feel good,” Giles said. “They have both told me recently that living out of state looks right now. And I would hate to see them leave.”
SEE ALSO: It’s unlawful for transgender people to change the sex on their IDs, Texas AG Ken Paxton says
Both Giles and Pritchett emphasize the importance of hope amid the fight.
“If you are somebody who is a cisgender person or a non-transgender person, this is an opportunity for you to step up,” Pritchett said.
“I have to have hope that it’s going to get better,” Giles added.
If you or someone you know in the Transgender community is looking for support, click here.
