The Texas House today voted to advance House Bill 1106, legislation stating that refusing to affirm children’s LGBTQIA+ gender identity or sexual orientation is not “abuse” and “neglect.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2025
CONTACT: Emily Witt, [email protected]
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House today voted to advance House Bill 1106, legislation that rewrites the state’s legal definitions of “abuse” and “neglect.” HB 1106 amends the Texas Family Code to clarify that refusing to affirm a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation, including refusing to use their updated pronouns or name, even if it has been legally changed, does not constitute child abuse.
During the bill’s third House reading, Democratic lawmakers shared documented stories of child abuse involving parental rejection of LGBTQIA+ children. Additionally, questions were asked by Rep. Gene Wu to the author, Rep. Matt Shaheen. The author, Rep. Shaheen, admitted he had not requested official documents from the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) or questioned officials about the details of cases he claims prove the concerns laid out in the bill. Rep. Shaheen’s only reported sources were news articles.
Texas Freedom Network Political Director Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her) issued the following response:
“This bill tells LGBTQIA+ kids across Texas that their pain doesn’t count — that being dismissed, misnamed, or denied support isn’t just tolerated, it’s protected by law. HB 1106 dresses up rejection as a right. But the truth is, when lawmakers carve out space for families to ignore who their kids are, they’re creating a shield for cruelty. Wrapped in the language of ‘parental rights,’ HB 1106 invites rejection and erasure into the home and labels it as care. When lawmakers vote to strip away recognition and affirmation from young people who need it most, they are endorsing harm.
“We know the risks are deadly for LGBTQIA+ youth when they’re denied affirmation. And we know this bill will only make it harder for them to be safe at home. No child should have to prove they deserve respect. TFN is in this fight for the long haul, because no child should be targeted by the very institutions meant to protect them, simply for being who they are.”
Data shows that LGBTQIA+ young people in Texas already experience adverse mental health outcomes and lack access to mental health care.
A 2024 report from the Trevor Project found that LGBTQIA+ young people in Texas are at high risk for suicidal ideation, with 42% reporting that they’d seriously considered suicide in the past year. 66% reported symptoms of anxiety, while 55% experienced symptoms of depression.
The Trevor Project’s research also found that transgender and nonbinary young people who live in households where their pronouns are respected reported lower rates of suicidal ideation.
Now that HB 1106 has passed the entire Texas House, it must move through the Texas Senate to reach the Governor’s desk for signature.
