EQUALITY TEXAS, THE TRANSGENDER EDUCATION NETWORK OF TEXAS AND GLAAD RESPOND TO TEXAS’ DISCRIMINATORY SB17 IMPLEMENTATION AND UT AUSTIN LAYOFFS

(Austin, Texas – April 5, 2024) Equality Texas, the largest nonprofit in Texas focused on securing full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), an organization dedicated to furthering gender-diverse equality in Texas and GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, are responding to Texas’ latest discriminatory efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the state.

To comply with the discriminatory Senate Bill 17, a state law banning DEI initiatives, the University of Texas at Austin fired dozens of workers who previously worked in the now-defunct DEI programs. Additionally, the university’s Women Community Center and Division of Campus and Community Engagement are set to dissolve The erasure of DEI programs directly affects LGBTQ students and the valuable resources they need to access quality education and enter the workforce afterward.

Statement from Brad Pritchett (he/him), Deputy Director of Equality Texas:
“The Texas landscape is vast and diverse, ranging from beaches to deserts, mountains to swamplands. The Texas community is just as rich and varied. Our neighbors add so much value to our lives by bringing their own traditions, backgrounds, and experiences. This push from Texas officials to extinguish the diversity of our marquee universities will harm Texas for generations. The integrity of our Texas institutions is being corroded by a divisive campaign to erase whole communities from our state universities.”

Statement from Landon Richie (he/him), Policy Associate at TENT & student at a Texas public university:
“For queer and trans students, institutions of higher education are often a place where we feel safe in our self-expression and have the avenues to grow and build community amongst each other. Bigoted Texas politicians are abusing their power to legally enforce discrimination at colleges and universities. We are proud of who we are. We earned our space in academia not because of DEI initiatives, but in spite of the barriers held over us by those with extreme prejudice. Creating additional setbacks for already marginalized students will not stop us from organizing and speaking out. We’ve made this space for ourselves and we’re fighting to keep it for all trans, queer, and students with marginalized identities.”

Statement from Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her), President & CEO of GLAAD:
“Texas’ SB17 law is a dangerous setback for LGBTQ students For many LGBTQ students, college is one of the first spaces where they can express themselves, openly love and come into their identities. The setbacks implemented by state officials are dangerous to student success and limit opportunities and community. The erasure of DEI programs only adds to those setbacks. UT Austin’s over-compliance this week is concerning and we call on university officials to provide full transparency surrounding their decisions.”

Additional research:

• Texas led the nation last year in a record-breaking year of proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation that would codify discrimination against LGBTQ Texans. For a comprehensive list of the bills introduced and their status, visit https://www.equalitytexas.org/legislature/legislative-bill-tracker-2023/.
• Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers this year pushed forward bans on healthcare for transgender youth, bans on inclusive education curricula that include LGBTQ issues and history, increased restrictions on transgender students participating in school sports, and bans on performances by drag artists, among other bills. For a comprehensive description of all LGBTQ-related bills in various states, visit https://www.equalityfederation.org/state-legislation. 
• At the same time, approximately 140 pro-LGBTQ bills were filed in 2023 by Texas lawmakers, demonstrating a change in tide as advocates and allies not only play defense against the barrage of harmful bills but also outpace them with a push for bills that would benefit the lives of LGBTQ+ Texans across the state.
• Research from The Trevor Project found that 86% of LGBTQ youth say the bills that were proposed in 2022 harmed their mental health.
• GLAAD’s Media Guide: State Legislation About LGBTQ People offers facts, context, and resources to journalists in pursuit of fair and accurate reporting on legislation that is proposed without evidence and against the expertise of medical, educational, and human rights professionals that would have negative effects on the dignity, equality, and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ people. Some recommended best practices in the guide include:
  • Include LGBTQ voices in stories about LGBTQ people and issues. If reporting on a transgender issue specifically, seek a transgender voice. GLAAD can connect you.
  • Elevate expertise over opinion, including facts from experts in relevant fields: healthcare, sports, education, and human rights.
  • Include facts and information from experts and research, rather than repeating inaccurate bill language or analysis verbatim and without challenge.
  • Challenge lawmakers and proponents of legislation to provide evidence and facts to support their assertions

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About Equality Texas:
We envision a Texas where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of our fellow Texans and in all areas of the law. Equality Texas works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.

About Transgender Education Network of Texas:
TENT is an organization dedicated to furthering gender-diverse equality in  Texas. We work to accomplish this through education and networking in both public and private forums. Through our efforts, we strive to halt discrimination through social, legislative, and corporate education.

Contacts:

GLAAD: jreyes@glaad.org 

Equality Texas: johnathan.gooch@equalitytexas.org 

TENT: sadie.hernandez@transtexas.org