FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2023
CONTACT: Emily Witt (she/hers), [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Legislature today plans to hear a bill that seeks to ban transgender healthcare for minors. This bill would also restrict the use of public money or public assistance to provide affirming care for minors.
HB 1686 will be heard in committee.
Texas Freedom Network Organizing Director Adri Pérez (they/them) issued the following response:
“Our state government’s cruel obsession with banning transgender healthcare for Texans is risking our lives, futures, and freedoms. Healthcare for transgender youth and adults is lifesaving for our community, which is why every major medical and mental health organization in the United States supports best-practice gender-affirming care. Transgender Texans, including children, just want to live and thrive as our full selves. We all deserve the right to make our own private medical decisions with the help of our doctors and our families.
“We are people, not political weapons. Last year, 45% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide, but when young people are affirmed in their gender identity, their risk for suicidal ideation decreases significantly. Whether or not someone understands the medical necessity of affirming care, surely they can understand the need to save the lives of fellow Texans.”
