Hello and Welcome
I would like to invite you all on a heartbreaking journey.
Many of you or your loved ones are on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Some of us live loudly, and some of us live silently. Regardless, we all live.
Until we don’t.
Until we can’t.
Texas is a beautiful place. A place that many of us were once proud to live in. Lately however, many Texans live in fear for their lives, or the lives of their spouses, children, parents, or friends.
Allow me to elaborate.
Texas is known for its diverse population and expansive landscapes. However, there are various social challenges that Texans face. Among these are LGBT-related issues that affect the well-being and inclusion of the LGBT community.
Discrimination against LGBT individuals in Texas includes workplace bias, healthcare disparities, social stigmatization, and safety concerns for transgender individuals.
Many within the LGBT community suffer from isolation, humiliation, violent attacks and even suicide. Feelings of isolation and fear of attack cause many individuals to stay home as much as possible, further affecting their mental health and the health of the economy.
It’s important to note that the roots of these problems run deeper than what we see on TV. Past generations have had a variety of core values that have influenced how cultures have viewed LGBT ideas. Over time these views have evolved within individual ancestory based on individual experiences. In some cases, this leads to acceptance. For many others however, this leads to ideals passed down in the form of political affiliation, or worse.
Social media also plays a crucial role in how our community is represented and supported. Especially since the Covid Era when families and communities could only communicate through social media. The whole world was at the mercy of media and technology. This era sparked global changes in social dynamics and protocols. Unfortunately, that means society has been easily manipulated into a backwards landslide through time regarding the very core values that we have been working diligently to evolve.
For example, recent legislative actions, such as bills affecting transgender youth and debates over LGBT topics in schools, have elevated concerns over our children’s future.
Families of transgender youth often have to travel out of state for gender-affirming care due to restrictive local policies.
However, with the new political agenda, this option is increasingly uncertain, exacerbating the challenges faced by transgender youth and making access to necessary medical care urgent.
House Bills such as 3399 and 3817, among others, seek to criminalize health and authenticity for transgender individuals.
Bill 3817 even aims to create a new felony offense called, Gender Identity Fraud.
Senate Bills such as 1029, 8, and 86 aim to create repercussions for healthcare providers and insurers who contribute to transgender care, and restrict education practices and programs from teaching about or supporting children’s identities.
There are support programs, such as OutYouth in Austin, and Resource Center in Dallas, that offer support and resources to help LGBT individuals find care and seek advocacy. However, these programs are quite far apart and individuals may still be limited due to transportation or financial constraints. There are many virtual support groups, and though these offer emotional support, they can’t do much for healthcare or societal acceptance, though they are trying. It is important to consider, however, though 84% of the population resides in urban areas where access to support is a bit easier, about 94% of the states true size is rural. This means that anyone who does not reside within the major cities are at higher risk of violence, potentially discouraging them from traveling to seek support.
These virtual programs, however, are increasingly essential to young transgender individuals in recent months. The Trans Youth Emergency Project offers emergency grants to families who have to travel out of state for care, and Equality Texas offers resources and support in many ways. Namely, they offer education on up-to-date legislation efforts, legal resources, and advocacy aid.
To put this issue’s prevalence into perspective, according to the Trevor Project’s annual survey on LGBTQ youth mental health from 2022, 72% suffered from anxiety, 59% suffered from depression, 47% had considered suicide, and 16% had attempted suicide.
33% experienced harm or threats of harm due to their identity or orientation. 74% experienced some form of discrimination. 68% of LGBT youth were denied mental health care. Overall, 38% of LGBTQ youth said that recent politics has negatively impacted their lives.
As we sit and ruminate on how these issues could impact, or have impacted our lives, I would like to challenge you all to consider what we can do to contribute to the solution.
We have to be the change we want to see in our worlds.
These programs could use our help! We can volunteer, donate, and spread awareness of these programs throughout the community. We can assist with portions of these programs that align with our strengths, and encourage others to do the same.
We can partner with health and mental healthcare professionals to expand access to affordable and legal care. We can offer support, mentorship, and safe spaces for individuals to express their authenticity. We can collect data to highlight gaps in resources, and testify at local or state hearings in favor of our community. Remember, even if you don’t personally identify within the LGBTQ community, the odds of you loving someone who does are high. The only way for communities to grow in a peaceful world is for society to grow together.
To evolve into involvement, there are several steps we can take.
Don’t be discouraged by steps that you may feel you are unable to utilize. Do what you can, and you’ve done more than nothing
To bgein, we focus on building economic empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community. Collaborating with organizations like the NGLCC and the North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce enables us to promote business opportunities and foster professional growth. These partnerships will involve providing certification programs for LGBTQ-owned businesses and hosting networking events tailored to their needs. By strengthening the economic foundation of the community, we pave the way for sustainable growth and empowerment.
Next, we focus on strengthening community foundations. Texas Pride Impact Funds is an essential resource for securing financial support for local LGBTQ+ initiatives, ensuring that significant programs receive the necessary backing. LGBTO SAVES plays a vital role in advocating for LGBTQ+ youth, offering mentoring programs that address their unique challenges and creating safe spaces for their growth and development. Together, these partners help reinforce the community’s ability to address immediate needs and empower future generations.
Advocacy and systemic changes are essential for long-term progress. Organizations like Equality Texas, the ACLU of Texas, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas are dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Their expertise helps us focus on initiatives such as training sessions, testimonies at the Capitol, and mobilizing grassroots support for policy reforms. These partnerships are crucial for addressing legal challenges and driving legislative changes that protect LGBTQ+ individuals.
Parental acceptance and emotional support plays a significant role in the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. PFLAG National offers family-focused programs to foster acceptance and understanding. The Campaign for Southern Equality provides resources for emotional healing and self-care, ensuring that individuals can navigate their personal journeys with resilience.
By partnering with these organizations, we address not only systemic challenges but also deeply personal struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
Building community involvement through grassroots and volunteer efforts is essential for fostering a cohesive and supportive environment. Everywhere Is Queer connects LGBTQ+ individuals with safe, inclusive spaces that facilitate collaboration and personal growth. The North Texas LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers volunteer programs that promote active community participation and amplify local advocacy and support initiatives. These partnerships create meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in impactful work, ensuring the community remains vibrant and inclusive.
Even if you feel like you are not in a position to get heavily involved, you can still get involved by simply spreading awareness of these resources to loved ones.
Simply expressing your support can be more influential than you can imagine.
Imagine an acquaintance or passerby notices your enamel pin or sticker from a local LGBTQ owned business. This individual may have dealt with discrimination of some sort all day, but now they see someone sporting a pronoun pin, and suddenly feel a little less alone. Simple gestures such as these could save a life.
The most basic, and possibly most important level of involvement takes absolutely no time or financial commitment.
Basic human decency is where it truly begins. Offering kindness, support, encouragement, and acceptance to LGBT individuals and the community ignites a chain reaction throughout the world. If for every action, there is an equal or greater reaction, then offering kindness to one person may inspire them to offer kindness to another person, and so on.
We must offer love and acceptance as our baseline to achieve societal change. Be the change you want to see in your
À children’s future world
Thank you for your time.
