1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Two discriminatory bills, HB229 and HB3225, are advancing through the Texas legislature that threaten the rights and well-being of transgender Texans. HB229 would criminalize providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth, while HB3225 aims to ban transgender students from playing sports consistent with their gender identity. These harmful bills promote government overreach into private medical decisions and perpetuate baseless fear-mongering about transgender people in sports. Transgender youth already face disproportionate rates of depression, anxiety and suicide - denying them access to crucial medical care and eliminating safe spaces will only exacerbate these disparities. Lawmakers should listen to the numerous medical professionals opposing these bills and focus on real issues facing Texans rather than targeting a vulnerable minority group. I urge you to stand against HB229 and HB3225 to protect the rights, dignity and safety of all Texans.