Spokespeople available in Spanish and English for additional comment or interview at request
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2026
CONTACT: Imelda Mejia (she/her), [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Friday an investigation into Austin Independent School District following an allegation that a transgender student was allowed to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity, not their sex assigned at birth.
Under SB 8, which took effect last December, political subdivisions or state agencies can be fined thousands of dollars if they do not “take every reasonable step” to prohibit transgender and gender-diverse Texans from using public restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities consistent with their gender identity.
Texas Freedom Network Political Coordinator Levi Fiedler (he/they) issued the following response:
“SB 8 created a discriminatory law that invites harassment and surveillance of Texans during their most private moments. Attorneys general have discretion in how they enforce the law, and Paxton is choosing to use the full force of his office to police where a single Texas child uses the restroom. Paxton chose to use inflammatory and stigmatizing language in his announcement, using taxpayer dollars to go after a Texas high school student. A government official targeting a child this way is not only outrageous, it’s dangerous. Texas Freedom Network denounces Paxton’s dehumanizing statement.”
Texans will choose a new Attorney General this November. TFN and our youth organizing arm, Texas Rising Action, will continue to fight alongside transgender Texans and their families to challenge discrimination and educate voters on which candidate will respect every Texan’s dignity and humanity.
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The Texas Freedom Network (tfn.org) is a grassroots organization of religious and community leaders and young Texans building an informed and effective movement for equality and social justice.
