Washington, D.C. — Center for American Progress Vice President of the LGBT Research and Communications Project Laura E. Durso issued the following statement after the Texas House of Representatives passed S.B. 2078, which bars transgender students from using bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. The House also voted yesterday to pass a bill that would allow publicly funded adoption agencies to turn away qualified potential parents because they are LGBT, unmarried partners, or religious minorities.
Politicians in Texas are sinking to new lows after forcing through two bills amounting state-mandated discrimination against Texas students and families. Despite widespread opposition from individual Texans and businesses alike, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is ignoring his constituents in favor of a cruel bill that targets transgender students for humiliation and harassment. Today, a staggering 77 percent of respondents who are out or perceived to be transgender report being harassed, discriminated against, or even assaulted in school. Transgender students deserve a safe learning environment, just like every other young person. This bathroom ban will only make schools even more hostile to transgender youth than they already are.
This is North Carolina’s H.B. 2 all over again—but this time, Texas legislators are directly targeting transgender kids. This type of discrimination has been rejected across the United States, drawing outrage and condemnation from every corner of the country. This follows yesterday’s unconscionable vote allowing adoption and foster care agencies to turn away qualified parents just because they’re LGBT or religious minorities. It’s clear that the Texas legislature is willing to put kids at risk to satisfy pressure from the far-right. Texans need to leverage their voices this week and demand Governor Greg Abbott (R) reject these dangerous bills, which would make the Texas legislature a national embarrassment.
Related resources:
For more information on this topic or to speak to an expert, contact Devon Kearns at [email protected] or 202.641.6290.