Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Invoice 14, banning minors from receiving gender-affirming care, into legislation on June 2. The invoice prohibits transgender youth from receiving hormones and puberty blockers and takes impact on Sept. 1.
Texas joins 17 different states in limiting medical look after younger transgender sufferers. Earlier than signing the invoice, Abbott advised Fox Information it was “no secret” he would signal it as a result of he believes these below 18 “don’t have the psychological capability to make a life-changing determination.” However some advocacy teams that oppose the invoice are looking for to problem it earlier than it takes impact.
Amongst these advocates is Anna Mae Justice, a member of the management board for Austin Queer Connection. She says the group works locally to maintain the youth educated on current political impacts.
“We host this factor referred to as Austin Queer Coalition, which is a month-to-month gathering of all of the neighborhood leaders of companies, organizations, social teams, stuff like that,” Justice mentioned. “All of us come collectively to debate present problems with concern and methods we will assist one another. And one of many ways in which we do that’s we collaborate on points that we really feel can be useful to work collectively on.”
Hayden Williams, the founding father of Austin Queer Connection, mentioned the group works with queer youth, together with UT college students, to facilitate socials due to what he calls a “enormous void” in queer areas in Austin apart from bars and golf equipment. Williams mentioned he based Austin Queer Connection in 2019 out of a necessity for the neighborhood and to offer outreach for queer youth.
Williams mentioned that though the rising visibility of queer folks may make some uncomfortable, this visibility is crucial for queer youth.
“When queer youth are advised you can’t be your self, you may’t be real, you can not categorical your self in a real method, that’s damaging,” Williams mentioned. “Everytime you inform youth on the whole that you simply can’t be real, you can’t be genuine, that’s damaging.”
In response to the invoice’s passing, a number of organizations, together with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Transgender Regulation Middle, mentioned they may work to struggle the legislation in courtroom.
Justice mentioned passing payments like SB 14 scares folks and places transgender youths’ lives in danger.
“I personally have seen what it’s like when folks aren’t capable of get that gender-affirming care,” Justice mentioned. “And the way a lot it broken their psychological well being and their bodily well being and the way harmful it’s.”