Anti gay laws in texas

The Medical Case against Anti-LGBT Laws in Texas

Legacy Policy Paper | June 2016

It’s possible, if not likely, some elected officials will again try to action legislation early next year that singles out and targets gay and non-binary Texans. This year we’ve seen such proposals get law in a number of southern states. Texas should not join them, given the significant medical implications of such laws.

“Bathroom Bills”

Because six of Legacy Community Health’s 22 locations in the Houston area are in KIPP Academy schools, Legacy is concerned about the mental health consequences of the political battle over bathroom operate for transgender students. The concern comes following the negative reaction by some elected officials in Texas to the Obama Administration guidelines encouraging public schools nationwide to allow trans students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has confirmed a discriminatory “bathroom bill” will be a priority issue in 2017. One Denton parent said Patrick was putting her gender nonconforming child right in the middle of a “pissing contest.”

Some mental health concerns for policymakers to consider:

• The mean-spirited

  Texas Legislature shifts right: What that means for the LGBTQ community

  The political landscape in Texas has shifted further to the right as we head into the 2025 legislative session. This shift comes after a surge in political campaigns focusing on gender identity and trans rights, issues that have become a primary focus for conservative lawmakers. LGBTQ rights advocates speak the Texas Legislature, now more conservative than ever, shows no signs of slowing down.

  A more aggressive conservative agenda?

  In recent years, Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have introduced a wave of bills targeting the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people. Florida’s controversial "Don’t State Gay" bill, bans on gender-affirming concern for minors, and laws restricting minors from attending queenly shows are just a few examples.

  Texas was no diverse, with lawmakers and state leaders at the forefront of some of the most aggressive policies targeting the rights of transgender people.

  Matt Lamb, a political science professor at Texas Tech University, believes the point on restricting LGBTQ rights in Texas will only intensify next year.

  "Given how some of the more modera

  LGBTQIA+ Equality

  The ACLU of Texas works to protect, defend, and expand the constitutional and civil rights of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, homosexual, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Texans. 

  Texas is home to the second largest population of LGBTQIA+ people in the region, yet across the state, LGBTQIA+ Texans lack basic protections. Many face discrimination, harassment, bullying, and violence in their daily lives simply for being who they are. This is especially right for the most vulnerable groups prefer LGBTQIA+ Texans of color, transgender Texans, and LGBTQIA+ youth. 

  We have worked with hundreds of LGBTQIA+ students and their families to advocate against discrimination in school, and we developed a toolkit with our partners to empower new people to involve in direct support. In 2023, Texas lawmakers proposed over 140 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with 7 of those bills passing. And in 2025, Texas lawmakers proposed over 200 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with eight of those bills passing.

  When the governor tried to objective families of gender diverse youth who necessitate gender-affirming medical take care of, we blocked these harmful actions by immediately challenging them in court, taking the fight t
  
  

  Texas' Equality Profile

  Sexual Orientation

  14%

  of population
  fully protected

  7%

  of population only
  partially
  protected

  Legend

  • State
    Protections
  • County
    Protections
  • City
    Protections
  • No
    Protections
  • Protections
    Banned

  
  

  County map only shows areas with full protections for sexual orientation (i.e., discrimination prohibited in private employment, housing, and common accommodations)

  ---

  City and County Numbers:

  0 counties out of 254 have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

  7 cities have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).

  5 municipalities, not including those listed above, have an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, or public accommodations (only partial protections). See table below.

  14% of the state population is protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation in private employment, housing, and public accommodations (full protections).