This blog originally appeared at Kxan.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a second investigation into a children’s hospital in the state, this time targeting Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. The purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the hospital is engaged in illegal activities by performing gender transitioning procedures on children. While Attorney General Paxton did not specify the exact laws that may have been violated, he stated that any procedures causing harm to children would be considered child abuse under Texas law.

The investigation was prompted by recent reports suggesting that Texas Children’s Hospital may be unlawfully providing gender transitioning procedures. Attorney General Paxton expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring the protection of children in the state. The announcement did not specify the source of the reports, but there are circulating articles online regarding the hospital’s alleged continued provision of such care.

This investigation highlights the ongoing debates and legal scrutiny surrounding gender transitioning procedures for minors, with officials seeking to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Texas Children’s Hospital is the biggest children’s hospital in the US by bed size.

At Texas Children’s Hospital, our mission is to provide high-quality care for all patients. Throughout the policy debate surrounding gender medicine, our healthcare professionals have always and will continue to prioritize the care of our patients within the bounds of the law.– TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL SPOKESPERSON

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL BLOG:https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-attorney-general-to-investigate-2nd-childrens-hospital-over-reports-of-gender-care-provided-to-minors/

This blog originally appeared at The Texas Tribune.

The bill under consideration would enable the removal of prosecutors who implement policies refusing to prosecute certain crimes, including certain low-level theft and drug charges. The Senate has passed its version of the bill, which now needs to be reconciled with the version passed by the House. The House had included exemptions in its version of the bill, creating some exceptions to the removal of prosecutors. The reconciliation process will involve aligning the two versions of the bill to reach a consensus on the final legislation.

creens display case information on May 9 at the Travis County Criminal Court at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center in Austin.

On Friday, the Texas Senate passed a bill aimed at addressing locally elected prosecutors who choose not to enforce certain laws. The bill is part of a broader Republican effort to hold accountable district attorneys in large, left-leaning counties who have publicly stated their intention to refrain from prosecuting abortion cases and have implemented policies regarding the prosecution of low-level theft and drug offenses.

The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Joan Huffman, a Republican from Houston, emphasized the need for a mechanism in Texas to remove prosecutors who refuse to enforce laws enacted by the Legislature or any legislative body. The proposed legislation seeks to provide a means to address what some Republicans consider as “rogue” district attorneys who deviate from the enforcement of established laws.

The bill will now proceed to the next stage of the legislative process, including potential reconciliation with a corresponding version passed by the Texas House of Representatives.

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL BLOG: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/19/senate-prosecutors-abortion-voter-fraud/

This blog originally appeared at The Texas Tribune.

Texas joins 17 other states restricting transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Opposing legal groups have vowed to sue to stop the new law from taking effet.

People line the railing on all three levels of the outdoor rotunda of the state Capitol in Austin, and wave signs during a “Fight for Our Lives” rally in opposition of anti-LGBTQ bills on March 27.

On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas signed Senate Bill 14 into law, effectively prohibiting transgender children from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapies. However, the new law may face legal challenges before it becomes effective on September 1st.

The passage of Senate Bill 14 marks a significant victory for the Republican Party of Texas, which has consistently opposed any measures that recognize transgender identities. In contrast, trans children, their parents, and LGBTQ advocacy groups vehemently oppose the law, with some pledging to fight against its implementation.

With this development, Texas joins the ranks of 18 other states that restrict transition-related care for transgender minors. Notably, Texas is home to one of the largest transgender communities in the United States, underscoring the impact and implications of this legislation on a significant portion of the population.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BLOGhttps://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/02/texas-gender-affirming-care-ban/

This blog originally appeared at The New York Times.

States Are Silencing the Will of Millions of Voters

The upcoming bill, expected to be signed by Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, has raised concerns about limiting the autonomy of cities within the state. The bill would significantly curtail the ability of cities to govern themselves, stripping them of the power to establish local workplace standards, safeguard civil rights, and enhance their environments. This would effectively undermine the authority of local officials elected by voters to carry out these responsibilities.

If enacted, the bill would invalidate any city ordinance or regulation that contradicts existing state policies in these key areas. It would also grant private citizens and businesses the right to file lawsuits and seek damages if they perceive discrepancies between city and state regulations. Consequently, cities would be unable to enact measures such as prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ employees, implementing rules to curb predatory payday-lending practices, or addressing issues like overgrown lots, unsafe festivals, or inadequate waste storage. Local worker protections, including essential provisions like water breaks for laborers in the Texas heat, would also be prohibited.

Proponents of the bill, including business lobbyists and Republican legislators, argue that its purpose is to eliminate conflicting regulations within the state. However, the presence of such conflicting regulations primarily exists in a few predominantly Democratic cities within an overall conservative state. This bill represents the latest endeavor by Republicans to eradicate any policies that clash with their conservative agenda, even if those policies have garnered substantial support from the voters in those cities who elected representatives to act in their best interests.

Already the state won’t let cities ban discrimination against low-income renters, and it prohibits them from cutting their police budgets. Dozens of other bills have been introduced to restrict election reforms by Texas cities and counties, including one that would let an official, most likely a Republican, overturn election results in a single place: largely Democratic Harris County, which includes Houston. “The bill is undemocratic,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio told The Texas Tribune. “It is probably the most undemocratic thing the legislature has done, and that list is getting very long. Local voters have created city charters, and I can’t imagine that they will be pleased to have their decisions usurped by lawmakers.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL BLOG: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/03/opinion/texas-preemption-bill.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

This blog originally appeared at Dallas Voice.

As Texas anti-LGBTQ legislation reaches boiling point, so do queer homeowners.

When Bob McCranie initially launched a website to assist LGBTQ individuals in leaving Texas due to the state’s anti-queer legislative agendas, some of his friends dismissed it as exaggeration. However, within just 60 days of the site’s launch, McCranie found himself needing to expand his resources to keep up with the overwhelming demand.

As a result, McCranie’s organization, Flee Texas, transformed into Flee Red States. Over the past few years, he explained, queer Texans have frequently engaged in discussions centered around the question, “Where are you going?” Recognizing the increasing threat posed by anti-LGBTQ legislation, gay homeowners in Texas are making the decision to leave the state in search of more welcoming environments. Faced with the looming presence of discriminatory laws, these individuals are opting to jump ship from the Lone Star State in pursuit of greater acceptance and equality elsewhere.

Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to sign several bills coming out of the 88th Texas Legislature that target transgender Texans

“If you eat at a restaurant, and you had horrible food, you would never go back and spend money at that restaurant,” McCranie said.

“You’d find a better restaurant and tell your friends to go there. States should compete for our money like restaurants do. [Texas] needs to treat us better than this, or we’ll take our tax money somewhere else.”

Drawing on his extensive experience as a gay Realtor and his deep roots in Texas, Bob McCranie, the founder of Texas Pride Realty, has taken on the role of providing a sanctuary for marginalized individuals not only in Texas but also across the country. In response to the increasing need for support, he established Flee Red States, a platform that connects LGBTQIA Realtors to assist homeowners seeking to sell their properties in states predominantly governed by Republican lawmakers.

Recognizing the importance of having a network of real estate professionals who understand the unique challenges and concerns faced by LGBTQIA individuals, McCranie has created a community of Realtors dedicated to helping people find refuge in more inclusive and accepting areas. Through Flee Red States, homeowners can access the expertise and guidance of these LGBTQIA Realtors, ensuring a smooth transition and a sense of security as they navigate the process of selling their homes and moving to more progressive regions.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORIGINAL BLOG