Thread by @EqualityTexas

Senator Hall is now presenting SB 1311 to the TX Senate State Affairs committee. SB 1311 is meant to "discourage" doctors from providing affirming medical care to trans youth by prohibiting liability insurance from covering those procedures.

He has already cited "the body God created" and called affirming treatment "mutilation" and "experimental," both of which are completely false.

He also believes that "when left to nature's God," the "natural cure" to gender dysphoria is puberty and called physicians who offer affirmative best-practice, life-saving care "so-called doctors."

Jeff Younger is an invited witness. He is the father of a trans girl and is (falsely) saying that his child has barely missed being chemically castrated or prescribed cross-sex hormones. His daughter is pre-pubertal. No medical intervention happens before puberty.

Pre-puberty, trans youth only experience SOCIAL TRANSITION. Inflammatory language does not change that fact.

The second invited witness is a psychologist who is citing original Johns Hopkins trans clinic, John Money, and Paul McHugh...all of which have been thoroughly debunked as experts on trans identities.

He does not seem to be aware that science, diagnostic criteria, and treatment modalities have been updated since he stepped down as president of a TX psychological org in 2004.

He has compared being trans to depression and schizophrenia, despite the DSM-5 explicitly stating that "gender non-conformity is not in itself a mental disorder."

He is now citing the Tavistock clinic in the UK, saying they are banned from treating trans youth. But that ruling has been reversed: reuters.com/article/us-bri…

Senator Perry is now presenting SB 1646, which would redefine child abuse to include affirming a transgender child. That isn't just a therapist or doctor. It would include loving parents who know their children better than a random legislator.

He says that we shouldn't give children drugs (puberty blockers/hormones) for something they haven't chosen. AGREED! Because no one **chooses** to be transgender.

He is citing scary side effects of medications of puberty blockers and hormones...medications regularly prescribed to cisgender people.

And has he ever read the warnings on a bottle of acetaminophen?

"Children should not be given puberty blockers or hormones before the age of 11."

Blockers should be given when puberty starts. And no one does start hormones before 11.

Rep. Slaton is now speaking. He says "parents don't even want their kids to have a scar" but here we are talking about this [transition-related care].

Rep. Slaton and Jeff Younger have both cited electro-shock therapy and that it (thankfully) has been banned. They don't seem to realize that it was used in failed conversion therapy efforts to "cure" LGBTQ+ people.

Trans kids do not have "sex change surgeries." They are not "chemically castrated" and they do not undergo "genital mutilation." They are provided with best-practice, evidence-based health care that every major medical organization (600k+ professionals) support.

People who want more science and studies should realize that banning effective care — which is being studied at this very moment — is not the way to get more science and studies.

The High Court in the UK has reversed the ban on treatment. These witnesses need to catch up on the news: reuters.com/article/us-bri…

Lots of concern about how much blockers and hormones cost and the profit-margins. Seems like they should propose a bill to make those medications more affordable...they way they do with others when they attack 'Big Pharma'.

No, sir. If you say 3-year-olds are "receiving treatment," do not imply it is anything other than a social transition.

Lisa Littman — proponent of RODG & social contagion — ONLY spoke to parents who do not believe their teens/young adult "children" are transgender. She does not interview trans people. Remember that when you hear her name.

Supporters of these bills who are very concerned with the costs and how big the "transition medical industry" is should be big supporters of universal health care. No?

Please recognize that bill supporters who say "yes, these kids need help...the *right kind of help* to get them through this...the right kind of support is psychological support," are promoting conversion therapy.

Jill Glover is a counselor who says that treatment with blockers/hormones/surgery is very new. That's why we have adults who had to wait decades to transition. She should ask if they were trans when they were kids and wish they would have had that kind of affirming care.

She is also citing a positive TikTok video with popular music as if it's going to lure people to the dark side of being trans. Kids aren't lured into transitioning like a mindless zombie drawn to an ice cream truck when they hear its siren song.

Being a "sensitive kid" or being a "tomboy" is NOT the same as knowing your gender identity is not congruent with your sex assigned at birth.

When people say their goal is to "protect children," they should admit that they don't actually want to protect trans children.

Dr. Hopewell, who supports these bills, was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. The APA is an organization that supports affirmative care.

Indigo Giles, 19, is testifying about their own journey and asks legislators to leave decisions about best-practice medical care to practitioners.

Neil Giles is an attorney and parent of a trans child. "I caution you to stay in your lane. Leave decisions to doctors...and I encourage you to listen to these trans kids while you have the opportunity because too many of their voices have already been silenced."

Dillon Yeary says if this bill had been passed a few years ago, "I wouldn't be here today because I would have been denied the medical care that I needed." Dillon is also refuting the misinformation about hormone therapy and infertility, citing viable eggs retrieved/preserved.

Meebs Aslam says these bills are refuted by biology and provides examples of multiple genders in other cultures. He also points out that Texas is 45th in access to medical care <-- something the #TXlege should actually focus on.

Meebs requested fact-checkers for stated "facts" like the number of desisters and the news about Tavistock in the UK. Thanks, Meebs!

Super dad Aaron Richie has 2 trans kids, testifies about supporting his 14yo trans son (18 now) and how life-saving it was. He points out that going through the wrong puberty locks in physical development that is hard to change.

Dr. Linnell is testifying as a mom, pediatrician, and member of several medical organizations in strong opposition to both SB 1311 and SB 1646. She cites the use of appropriate treatment for trans youth. Says kids are 1/3 of our population, but 100% of our future.

Dr. Linnell is provided the opportunity to explain the differences between puberty blockers and hormone usage, their effects on fertility, and the conversations families are able to make to assess those risks.

Reverend Remington Johnson says trans kids "show us the spark of the Divine" and that we are lucky to witness it. "Is it that you don't see these kids as beloved, worth of God's protection?" ...

"You tell us these kids are suffering and that you seek to help them, but when we bring you information about what will help them, you ignore it. Please listen to us. Amen."

Brian Klosterboer, ACLU, is explaining current child abuse laws and that no physician can offer treatment that would harm a children. He says that Jeff Younger has had legal options available to him...and he has continually lost in court.

He points out that the ban in England has been overturned and parental consent for those under 16 is allowed...the same as current Texas law.

Dr. Megan Mooney testifies about the care team that trans adolescents work with for medical transitions. And again explains the ruling out of the UK (which the Chair believed had not been overturned).

Dr. Mooney answers questions: the age children understand gender, explains guidelines physicians follow, and — as an expert in child trauma — says there is no evidence that affirming care causes any traumatic effects in children. It improves mental health."truly life-saving care"

Allison Moore Boulware speaks as a licensed clinical social worker to explain how devastating it would be on the relationship between a client and an LCSW if gender-affirming conversations were considered child abuse.

Lauren Rose, director of public policy with a TX youth services org, "concerned these bills will push trans youth towards foster care, homelessness, trafficking..." by criminalizing affirming care that would keep families together.

Kate Murphy is concerned about kids in foster care who already suffer harm and says we don't need to push more kids trans youth there by taking them away from loving families trying to do their best for their kids.

Kevin Barajas, UT Austin student and with Queer Austin, says SB 1646 is the "state-mandated denial of best practice care," is doing anything other than saving lives, throws safety out the window, and he is saddened by the dismissal of real suicidal risks that some people have.

..."Abuse is the constant use of children as political pawns." 👏👏👏👏👏

Charlie Apple, 17yo, says of coming out at 12: "I clearly remember what I was thinking...I don't want to die with the wrong name on my headstone...Working towards HRT was one of the hardest things I've ever undergone...

"...These treatments saved my life. I beg of you to save others. Allow these kids to grow up. Allow me to become a trans adult."

Charlie's mom, Adair, speaks of him as a precious gift after having trouble starting a family. "Taking care of my child is NOT endangering my child. You can try to call my husband and me child abusers, but preventing us from helping Charlie is state-sponsored child abuse."

Landon Richie, 18, asks committee members when they know their gender and when they were sure of who they are. Says he started the wrong puberty and blockers would have saved him so much pain. "Gender affirming care was and still is necessary for me."

Melody Gomez, El Paso social worker, speaks of her child "before she knew the concepts or language of being transgender, she knew that she is a girl." All individuals are created equal and all are deserving of equal care.

Diana Richards is the first person to speak in favor of these bills during public testimony. Says she has worked in insurance so she knows how to do research. Cites Kinsey and his research on pedophilia.

And she is citing ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council...the org behind the pre-packaged bills. Thanks for introducing and admitting that, Diana! It saves us some work.

Kai Shappley is now testifying about how Texas legislators have been attacking trans youth since pre-K. She's now in 4th grade. "God made me. God loves me for who I am, and God does not make mistakes."

Kimberly Shappley is next. She's Kai's mom and an RN. She has already moved her family from Pearland to Austin because of anti-trans discrimination and doesn't want to have to uproot her family again.

Alicia Weigel testifies as a Jewish person and intersex person. She asks why they want to deny trans youth with care they desire but are willing to allow procedures on intersex kids without their consent. "Kill this unholy bill."

Hillary Moore-Embry is the mom of 3, 1 who is trans. Points out that trans kids aren't new. Trans acceptance and support is what is new. Her child who was once a page in the Capitol is now afraid to be there with her.

She said "I've year you refer to these bills as a belt and suspenders. These bills are not supportive. They are the guillotine and gallows."

Adri Perez, policy advocacy strategist with @ACLUTx: these bills are "senseless, dangerous." All medical care offered trans youth have been offered to non-trans youth for years. To trans you watching "we see you, you aren't alone, we will never stop fighting for you."

Susan Mack and Lauren Rodriguez are two moms testifying about their trans kids, opposed to both SB 1646 and SB 1311, explaining the process of getting care for their kids.

Lauren testified about having an ex-husband, much like Jeff Younger, who denied who her child is and who lost his parental rights after a 1 1/2 year custody fight because he would not consent to life-saving care.

Sarah Kapostasy, licensed professional counselor, has seen time and time again how affirming care benefits trans youth. Affirming care allows for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...You cannot legislate trans youth out of existence."

Greyson Rodriguez, 17, tells how is father wanted to put him through conversion therapy, but after fighting for a year, "took only 5 minutes to sign away his rights." He is grateful for his supportive mom and stepdad.

Kevin Whitt is up to testify in favor of these bills. Get to know Kevin here: metroweekly.com/2021/02/ex-gay…

Kevin wants even social transition to be included in the bills as child abuse. Kevin has faced a lot of trauma in his life and deserves peace, but his experience of n = 1 should not be used to deny life-saving care that so many others have testified about today.

Todla Hobson is there to fight for the rights of her children's existence. Her trans son doesn't want to be a posterchild for trans youth, he just wants to be a typical adolescent.

Amber Briggle, small biz owner/mom, says she has a million other things she needs to be doing...rebuilding her biz, helping her kids with their online studies, or repairing their home after the winter storm. She shouldn't be defending herself or explaining private medical care.

While the committee is in recess, we'll share some of the video testimony shared with us from people who couldn't attend in person. We'll keep the thread going later today.

Do you know better than the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Psychiatric Association? How can you be making medical decisions for children? You're not doctors. You're politicians.

Dr. Alan Stanton, as as 74yo lifelong registered Republican voter and donor, "I find it extremely disheartening that politics has found its way into the private and personal lives of family choices."

"I'm a lifelong registered Republican voter and donor, and I'm against these bills because they are a threat to my granddaughter's life. I find it impossible to believe that over 500 publicly elected individuals would not listen to or respect the medical evidence or science..."

"I'm a licensed professional counselor and have worked with abused and neglected children for at least 14 years. I can assure you there is nothing abusive going on here...People need to make decisions with their doctors, based on science & research, not popular opinion."

"Depriving a transgender child of affirming medical care doesn't make that child not transgender anymore, it makes that child miserable and possibly suicidal."

"As a lifelong Texan and a politically active voting Republican, I have never witnessed such an outrageous act by two governmental bodies."

"We saw these children when they were one gender and were unhappy, and now they are thriving."

"Research shows gender-affirming care decreases suicide attempts...Why then, are politicians targeting kids instead of doing what we know makes their lives better? SB1646 contradicts every major medical orgs' recommendations for the health & wellbeing of children and adolescents.

Listen to this mom's story. It's very common. "I was raised in a very devout Mormon family and my husband comes from a very devout Church of Christ family."

"My daughter's 18 but there are 1000s of trans youth whose life-saving care could be taken away, so I'm asking you to move beyond being a sympathizer who feels compassion for us but does nothing to help. Please listen to parents and trans youth and vote no on these bills."

"Being trans really is beautiful. As a healthcare provider, I value patient-centered evidence-based care. Transition-related healthcare is life-saving care."

Re: affirmative care — "to take that decision away from parents is not only condemning a child to suffer needlessly, but it's also condemning parents to watching that child suffer..."

"Undoubtedly we will lose lives if we pass the criminalization of providing this care to youth. There will be children who will take their own lives because there's no way out."

"Today, my child is a confident college student with a very strong sense of identity, due in not small part to the healthcare they received."

"Lawmakers should trust the medical and mental health professionals and know that we are trained and are able to recognize when our clients need help." Dr. Amanda Richter

We are back! Continuing public testimony about SB 1311 and SB 1646. #txlege

Holt Lackey, attorney and EQTX board member, starts the testimony by pointing out that some committee members left the chamber earlier today and did not listen to those who would be labeled child abusers offer their testimony.

He also answered questions about the Tavistock case from the UK again, so point out that only Arkansas has outlawed this healthcare...and only a week ago.

Maggie Stern, Children's Defense Fund, points out how many kids in TX are uninsured & can't access healthcare. Asks why we're trying to ban best-practice healthcare already in place for trans youth. Reminds the senators how many trans youth have begged to keep their healthcare.

The Eastmans, mother and daughter, testify about fighting for trans rights so that trans people can share all of the same rights that everyone else in the room do, so that being trans "is not a barrier to living your best life" rather than just another aspect of who you are.

Sarah Newberry speaks as the mom of a 15yo trans daughter, to bear witness to her daughter. Her daughter asked "how can it be child abuse for her mom to be here advocating on her behalf?"

Next up, didn't catch his name, is a Jeff Young supporter who cited one story of an adult having transition regret and compared gender dysphoria to Body Integrity Identity Disorder. They aren't the same.

Cynthia McAdam, mother of an autistic child, says her child came out with "ROGD" at 14 with no signs of prior dysphoria. She ends with "No one is born in the wrong body" so it's clear she doesn't believe in trans people at all.

She also cited @MarloThomas's book "Free to Be" as a resource to teach trans kids to love their bodies without transitioning. That doesn't work, but we do love that book! 🏳️‍⚧️

Carol Federick, a "truth seeker" talks about experimental treatments that destroy people's psyches and calls puberty blockers "gateway drugs." They must have heard this morning's testimony of trans youth saying how important their healthcare has been for them.

Savannah Bauer, also goes by Hunter, is clearly nervous but doing a great job explaining puberty blockers, how to mitigate side effects, and says just holding the hearings is sad and harmful.

Karen Krajcer, asks as a parent...why would a parent ever wish this on a child? why would a child ever ask to stand out in this way and deal with all that comes with it? She's also a CASA and serves as a voice for abused children.

.@JudithZaffirini asked why she said her family couldn't live in Texas if these bill pass. Karen answered "because I would be charged as a child abuser for loving my child."

A mother of an adult trans person says her "child has determined to rapidly transition in two years." Her child is an adult...that she does not affirm...but she is testifying against puberty blockers for struggling dysphoric adolescents.

Lynn Meager says she is testifying for parents of minor children who can't publicly testify in opposition to transition because it would put them in danger.

Q: when was the last time an unaffirming parent suffered discrimination/violence that trans women regularly experience?

Tracy Shannon, another bill supporter, describes herself as a "trans widow" because her spouse left her to transition. She has been hurt. It's sad when adult relationships can't survive a transition. But has nothing to do with trans youth.

Ash Hall steps up to fact-check earlier testimony. Cites @TransEquality's US Trans Survey statistics about detransition & that a lack of parental support was the most often stated reason for it. Also points out that invited witnesses quoted WPATH, an org who opposes these bills.

Lynn Tooley, supports both bills, saying he is "a former transgender." Lynn cited many health issues but there is no evidence that transitioning would have been the cause of those. We wish Lynn good health.

Another mom speaks about her family's story and the JOY that her child has experienced since being affirmed.

We've also seen that joy. Gender Euphoria is a wonderful thing to witness.

Lisa Stanton, mom of a trans daughter, invites the senators to their home for a meal to get to know their family. Says she has "seen the light" come into her daughter's eyes and asks why legislators think they know a child better than their parents do.

Now daughter Maya testifies for herself. "I realize God put me in this body for a reason...to teach you about diversity and acceptance."

Yes, ma'am, Maya!!! 👏👏👏

Danielle Skidmore, a trans woman and board member of Equality Texas, is also the parent of a special needs child. Her son kept the pen used to sign another bill into law to protect kids like him. These bills do the exact opposite of what that law did.

Danielle cont: I prayed every day that I could have accessed the care you want to deny trans youth today. Why do you keep attacking the trans community? What have we deserved to warrant this animus? The private medical decisions of these families is not the business of the state.

Alexi Schwartzy (?sp) says she supports the bills to stand up against child abuse. Again talks about "mutilating, poisoning, disfiguring" children. Compares doctors in Nazi Germany to trans-affirming doctors. Yes, you read that right.

Sam Club, all pronouns, leads trans youth support groups. Speaks to how physical care and mental health care work together to meet the needs of trans folks. Says trans people deserve better than to be reduced to body parts. YES!

Camille Rey, mom of 3, speaks as a "family of scientists" and cites studies and data that show transitioning early with a supportive family leads to the best outcomes for trans youth.

Got noisy so I missed this speaker's name. She is pointing out that doctors who treat trans youth also treat cis youth, are coaches, church leaders, community members...meaning a lot more than a few trans youth will be harmed if those doctors are charged with abuse.

Professor David Albert, UT Austin, offers a scholarly framework: gives many examples of how we have shifted many of our binary beliefs to recognize more things as a spectrum. Asks senators to move beyond a simplistic binary view from childhood.

Catherine Emory, comes from a family of clergy. Has friends in other countries who think these bills are a joke, because they can't imagine they would be proposed. Says Republicans like to say the government should stay out of our homes, asks them to stay out of our homes now.

Steve Atkinson, Equality Texas Foundation board chair, native Texan, speaks against the two bills. Says we know that in every lege session, there will be bills attacking LGBTQ+ people. And as usual, they seek to provide solutions to problems that don't exist.

Steve points out that politicians who like to talk about limited government also like to legislate LGBTQ+ people's existence. Asks the senators to vote no on the bills.

The committee now stands in recess.