SB 723 Update 7-The Wingnuts Are Coming

Another day ticks off the calendar toward the close of the 82nd Texas Legislative session, and let's get right to what happened with SB 723 today.

It is still on the 'intent calendar' and wasn't taken up before the Senate adjourned for the day..  

But we'll face the same situation at 11 AM CDT tomorrow.

However, we have a new problem.  The right wingers have gotten wind of this bill and are mobilizing.    Time to protect our civil rights from the misguided people who want to trample all over them in the name of conservatism.

Get busy calling and e-mailing those Democratic state senators and asking them to stand their ground against Tommy Williams unjust bill that would set up negative legislative intent for your Texas transbrothers and transsisters.

Here are those addresses and phone numbers.   Let them know the eyes of trans Texans and our allies are STILL upon them.    And be nice people.
 

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

SB 723 Update 6

Like Jason, SB 723 is turning out to be in this 82nd Texas Legislative session the bill that will not die.  

Just got the word from Legislative Queery and bia an action alert from Meghan Stabler that Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) has placed the unjust bill back on the Senate 'intent calendar' for May 10.  


So you know what we have to do.  Call and e-mail the Texas Democratic senators and tell them to keep up the united front and 'oppose SB 723' with special attention on Sen. Carlos Uresti.     Sen. Uresti is rumored to be the 20th vote the Republicans need to bring this unjust legislation to the senate floor.

There's also this link to a form e-mail that will be sent to you Texas senator..  

Of course, if you're a do it yourself kind of person, Moni's going to make it easy for you to call the Texas Dem senators and urge them to show the same kind of leadership the Democratic senators in Wisconsin did.

Here are those addresses and phone numbers.   Let them know the eyes of trans Texans and our allies are STILL upon them.:

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us
 
For SB 723 to become law, it has to get voted out of the Senate by May 20, and then it must go through the legislative process in the Texas House by May 25.


HB 3098, the companion bill by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R- Brenham) is still in committee.  It dies if it isn't voted out of committee by midnight CDT tonight.

Let's get busy and kill this unjust bill..

Maine LD 1046 Update-Testimony From The Father Of ATrans Child

TransGriot Note:  Still keeping an eye on the anti trans bill LD 1046 in Maine, which would circumvent two Maine Human Rights Commission rulings in favor of trans people in the state and  legalize bathroom discrimination against trans people.     One of the people who testified against this bill in the recent public hearing is the father of the trans child the Maine Human Rights Commission stood up for and who Rep Ken Fredette (R) , who was on the Maine Human Rights Commission when that case was heard and voted against it, is trying to oppress.

Here is that father's testimony.

My name is Wayne Maines, I live in Old Town. I have a 13-year-old transgender daughter. In the beginning, I was not onboard with this reality. Like many of you I doubted transgender children could exist, I doubted my wife and I doubted our counselors and doctors. However I never doubted my love for my child. It was only through observing her pain and her suffering and examining my lack of knowledge about these issues did I begin to question my behavior and my conservative values. I learned that the medical standard of care requires parents seek assistance from a panel of experts. We did this and our team of doctors recommended my daughter to live fully as a girl. We cannot turn back now. When my daughter lost her privileges at school and both children and adults targeted her, I knew I had to change and I have never looked back.

When we moved to Maine, it was clear my daughter was transitioning from male to female with us or without us. She used the girl's bathroom with no fanfare; she was confident and very social. Her strong personality helped the entire school transition right along side of her. She was proud and secure with herself and when people asked at the young age of six she openly stated that she was a girl trapped in a boy's body.

The transformation was amazing, but her happiness would not last. Unfortunately the fears of others would destroy everything that our team of doctors, teachers, school counselors, friends and classmates had work so hard to establish.

I know that it is difficult for some of you to understand the needs of transgender children. You only need to spend some time with these kids to see that they are struggling and suffering beyond your imagination only because they are singled out and misunderstood. They are just like your children and grandchildren; they have the same hopes and the same dreams.

In the fifth grade because of significant negative exposure we had to take drastic measures to protect her from harm, including splitting our family up to go in hiding and we are not the only family that has had to do so. When she was told she could no longer use the appropriate bathroom her confidence and self-esteem took a major hit. Prior to this my daughter often said, "Dad being transgender is no big deal, my friends and I have it under control." I was very proud of her. It was only when adults became involved with their unfounded fears that her world would be turned upside down. "She came to me crying and asked, "Daddy what did I do wrong? Daddy please fix this?" That is what dads do -- we fix things. I had to break her heart and say, "You have not done anything wrong sweetie, but Mommy and I do not know how to fix this, but we will try."

Continuing to single these kids out is not necessary. Having the opportunity to use the bathrooms of their true gender is essential for these kids' well being. This bill places transgender children in a position of doom and hopelessness. This bill tells my daughter that she does not have the same rights as her classmates and reinforces her opinion that she has no future. Help me give her the future she deserves. Do not pass this bill.

SB 723 Update 4

The local Houston media is starting to comment on the unjust SB 723 bill.

We're still concerned about this bill if it isn't killed enshrining the odious Littleton case into Texas law and setting negative legislative intent precedent against trans marriage especially in light of the pending Delgado v Araguz case.

The Texas legislature is also meeting until May 30.

We're glad this is starting to get the attention of people not residing in the Lone Star State, but that means it's getting the attention of our haters and they will start pushing back as well. 

Remember, the Republicans have an 19-12 edge in the Texas Senate.   They need ONE Democratic legislator to break ranks and allow this bill to come up for a vote.  

So your Texas transpeeps still need those calls and e-mails to the Texas Democratic senators (be nice) and ask them to keep the united front to kill SB 723.   

Here are those addresses and phone numbers.   Sen Carlos Uresti is the one highlighted for now because he was rumored to be the one wavering on SB 723.   Let them know the eyes of trans Texans and the nation are upon them to do the right thing and thank them for doing so.

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

SB 723 Update 3

Meghan Stabler is not only still in Austin watching the Texas Senate and what they're doing on SB 723, the cavalry's coming from Houston.    Nope, the TransGriot's not needed yet at the capitol but I'm standing by.

Nikki Araguz is in Austin along with Meghan hoping to talk to some of the Democratic senators in person and implore them to keep up the united front against the unjust bill.   

The bill is still on the intent calendar, and the action on the senate floor will resume at 11 AM CDT.   just a reminder Meghan will be tweeting the proceedings and you can follow along with the TXSB723 hashtag on Twitter.

Wavering legislator that needs focus today is Sen. Carlos Uresti.   His district covers West Texas to El Paso County and the cities of Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and southern Bexar County   Please send you e-mails to him and thanks to the other Dem senators for their continued support in killing SB 723

Here are those addresses and phone numbers.   Let them know the eyes of trans Texans are upon them.:

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

SB 723 Update 2

According to Legislative Queery, which keeps an eye on the Texas legislature and all their shenanigans that affect the TBLG community of Texas,  there were 63 bills on yesterday's consent calendar that included the unjust SB 723.    The Senate got to 9 of them before adjourning for the day and the fun starts at 11 AM CDT.  

Meghan Stabler is standing by in Austin once again prepared to tweet the proceedings from Austin with the TXSB723 hashtag .    In the meantime in order to kill SB 723 we still need y'all calling and e-mailing the Texas Democratic senators and letting them know to stick together

This is why this unjust bill must die.

Here are those addresses and phone numbers.   Let them know the eyes of trans Texans are upon them.:

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

SB 723 Update

The Texas Senate adjourned for the day without taking up the issue of SB 723.    We have been granted another day to send e-mails and call our Democratic state senators.   When you do so, ask them to hang together to oppose SB 723 which has passed out of committee and is on the Senate intent calendar.

And just in case you're wondering, the Texas legislative session doesn't end until May 30.
.

The GOP has a 19-12 edge in the chamber, and Republicans only need one of the Democrats to get the 2/3rds number of senators they need to bring up the bill.    We need them to stand up and say NO as a group.  

Here are the e-mail addresses and phone numbers for the Democratic Texas state Senators

 mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us     
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

 Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106   
Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
Royce West (512) 463-0123
Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129 


Keep those calls and e-mails coming.   Let them know that we want them to oppose SB 723.    Allies and supporters, this is one of those times we need your help as well.