1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

This year, over 200 discriminatory bills have been introduced in the Texas Legislature, targeting LGBTQ Texans, especially transgender youth (Equality Texas, 2025; ACLU, 2025). These proposals—ranging from book bans and restrictions on healthcare to surveillance of gender expression—are not about public safety or parental rights. They are about fear and political control. They threaten the fundamental freedoms and protections guaranteed by our Constitution. More than 80 bills filed this session specifically target LGBTQ people (Dallas Morning News, March 24, 2025). Some would criminalize teachers for mentioning sexual orientation. Others would block medically recognized care for trans youth, despite guidance from major medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the AMA that gender-affirming care saves lives. These bills ignore facts and science in favor of politics and punishment. The impact on youth mental health is undeniable. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 54% of LGBTQ youth in Texas seriously considered suicide in the past year. Transgender youth face even higher rates. When lawmakers promote discrimination instead of protection, they send a clear message: “You don’t belong.” That’s not the Texas most of us believe in. It’s not freedom. It’s not small government. And it’s not the America enshrined in the Constitution. Let’s be clear—laws that single out and restrict people based on who they are violate equal protection. They threaten democracy by turning marginalized Texans into scapegoats for political gain. The Texas Legislature is heading down a path that mirrors the tactics of authoritarian regimes—where the government picks and chooses which citizens deserve dignity, rights, or even basic recognition. I urge you to oppose these bills and stand for every Texan’s right to live with safety, dignity, and freedom. Uphold the Constitution. Protect our youth. Stop legislating cruelty under the guise of concern. The future of our democracy—and our humanity—depends on it.