1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over House Bill 3817, which seeks to criminalize individuals for identifying as a gender different from their sex assigned at birth. As a Texan and a person of faith, I believe this bill stands in direct opposition to the values of justice, compassion, and truth as taught in Scripture. This Bill Conflicts with Biblical Principles The Bible calls us to uphold truth, yet this bill misrepresents transgender individuals as being deceitful when they are simply living in alignment with their God-given identity. Proverbs 12:22 reminds us that “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Being transgender is not an act of deception—it is about living truthfully. Moreover, Christ consistently opposed laws and leaders who burdened people with unjust rules. Matthew 23:4 warns against leaders who “tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” This bill does exactly that by criminalizing some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. God Looks at the Heart, Not the Body In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord declares: “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Yet, HB 3817 forces individuals to be defined by outward characteristics rather than by who they truly are. The New Testament reinforces this idea, teaching that earthly divisions—including gender—do not determine one’s worth. Galatians 3:28 affirms: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Christ Commands Us to Love, Not Oppress Jesus’ greatest commandment is love: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Instead of showing love and compassion, this bill seeks to shame, punish, and alienate people simply for being who they are. Zechariah 7:9-10 instructs us to “render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor.” Transgender individuals face high rates of discrimination, homelessness, and violence. This bill only adds to their suffering, making their very existence a criminal offense. As Isaiah 10:1-2 warns: “Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression.” Legislation Should Reflect Christian Values If Texas truly values faith, we should be passing laws that reflect Christ’s teachings—laws that promote love, truth, and justice. Criminalizing gender identity does the opposite. As an elected leader, you have the power and responsibility to reject legislation that contradicts the values of Christ. I urge you to oppose HB 3817 and any legislation that seeks to punish individuals for living their truth. Please uphold the biblical call to justice, mercy, and love.