Transgender Americans Under Attack
Discriminatory Federal & State Legislation Targets Transgender People

As Texas prepares to enter a special legislative session to consider a growing number of discriminatory bills targeting transgender people and their families, the United States House of Representatives is today considering a amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would strip transgender service members and their dependents of access to health care. The harmful amendment was introduced by Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO).

Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation said, “Denying transgender service members  their vital health care is cruel and out of line with research conducted by the military and medical community showing that transition related care is medically necessary. This punitive amendment does nothing to support our troops and their families, but rather perpetuates prejudice and discrimination.”

Equality Federation is also tracking anti-transgender legislation in Texas. Three discriminatory bills have already been introduced for the July 19th special session, with more expected. One of most egregious of the bills would make it illegal for local governments and schools to have policies that protect transgender people from discrimination. We also expect another attempt at passing an anti-transgender bathroom ban.

Chuck Smith of Equality Texas said, “Any such bathroom or so-called ‘privacy’ legislation that targets transgender Texans—an already vulnerable population—for unequal treatment will put innocent adults and children in harm’s way. It is unconscionable.

Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick has spent much of 2016-2017 grandstanding about this issue, cynically expressing fake outrage and misrepresenting the facts to manipulate Texans into fear, simply because they have not had the chance to meet our fellow transgender Texans. These are traits unworthy of any person who holds public office.”