Thread by @JuddLegum

1. @GovAbbott has launched an extraordinary attack on trans youth and their families in Texas.

Corporations are speaking out.

But what are they prepared to DO?

We decided to investigate.

Follow along if interested.

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@GovAbbott 2. Abbott's directive defines the use of puberty-blocking drugs, part of the standard of care for some trans youth, as child abuse.

Children that receive such care under the supervision of a physician could be taken away from their parents.

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@GovAbbott 3. A group called @TXCompetes, which represents 1400 businesses including @Amazon, @Microsoft, @United, and @Dell, released a statement saying they are "gravely concerned" about Abbott's order and "oppose any attempts to separate loving families"

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4. Some members of @TXCompetes, however, are donors to Abbott and Attorney General @KenPaxtonTX, who issued an opinion that formed the basis for Abbott's order.

We reached out to these corporations to see if they'd continue supporting Abbott and Paxton

popular.info/p/corporations…

5. We contacted 11 companies that are members of @TXCompetes and also donated to Abbott or Paxton in the last two years.

None responded. The group includes:

@united
@Allstate
@bbva
@CapitalOne
@jpmorgan
@UnionPacific

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6. This raises the question of what being a member of @TXCompetes really means.

Do all the companies that are members support the statement?

Does it even matter if they aren't willing to pair their support with action?

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7. Other corporations headquartered in Texas, like @ATT, are not members of @TXCompetes

@ATT did sign a separate national statement by @HRC stating their "clear opposition to harmful legislation aimed at restricting the access of LGBTQ people in society"

popular.info/p/corporations…

8. @ATT has donated $75,000 to Abbott and Paxton since 2020, including $10,000 to Paxton on 02/18.

We asked AT&T about the donations to Abbott and their decision not to join Texas Competes, even though they are headquartered in Dallas

No response

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9. We've seen in the past that corporate engagement can make a huge difference in combating anti-trans policies WHEN PAIRED WITH ACTION

In North Carolina six years ago, corporations took concrete steps and the policies were eventually reversed.

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10. So far we have seen broad corporate statements but little to no action by these corporations. So there is really no pressure on Abbott or Paxton to back off.

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11. If you are interested in this topic -- or the issue of corporate accountability more generally -- check out the Popular Information newsletter.

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