On February 22nd, 2022, Texas made national headlines when it announced investigations into several trans kids’ families over potential child abuse. Gender-affirming care—which was still legal for minors at the time—“constituted child abuse,” the state argued, and “to protect Texas children” from that abuse, it was willing to pull families apart. To most trans Americans and their allies, the news is often remembered as an outrage, a dramatic escalation in the push to target the healthcare access of trans youth.
Lots of kids have nearly died because Ken Paxton prevented schools from providing resources to children and families. I hate that the author was made to feel this way, but the people who are going to vote for him seem unaware of or unfazed by his work to actively harm them and their families.
Obviously, more anecdotes are better than none, and I hope this one gains enough traction to change hearts and minds. But, we’re really really stupid here in Texas, and we love being controversial; somehow, we’ve convinced ourselves that spreading and supporting misinformation is controversial and cool rather than dangerous and harmful to every single one of us.
I think part of the reason for some of these articles are some remarks by Talarico regarding trans folks in sports. This has caused a perceived betrayal; which fair enough it is disappointing to not have a more gung-ho person. Still I think it misses the perspective that a disappointing Talarico is still living to fight another day, but Paxton is a certainty.
That’s a fantastic point, thank you!