Why Trans Texans Feel Abandoned By Democrats

For many trans Texans it often feels like Republicans care more about harming them then Democrats do supporting them. And that theory was put to the test recently with a series of votes.

On May 10, legislators passed Senate Bill 1257, authored by powerful Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola). It requires health benefit plans that provide coverage for gender transitioning and affirming care to also provide coverage for so-called “de-transitioners.” It passed 82-37.

Later, the body also passed House Bill 229, the so-called “Women’s Bill of Rights,” by Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway). It would require all public entities to identify a person’s gender as either male or female on legal documents and force state agencies to align and use an individual’s biological sex when collecting data. It passed 86-36.

If that seems lopsided, it’s not because more than a dozen Democrats joined Republicans. It’s because Democrats weren’t there, and even fewer were fighting for trans Texans. And that decision appears purposeful. 

Since the 2024 election, where Democrats lost the White House, Senate and very narrowly the House, their soul-searching has taken them to some dark depths. They’re blamed President Biden for his age and not dropping out sooner. They’ve blamed Vice President Kamala Harris for a myriad of reasons: tough on crime or being too cozy with the left flank of their party. And they’ve also aggressively scapegoated transgender people. 

So, naturally, some Democrats walked, didn’t show up, or simply didn’t care about a bill that will do serious harm to trans Texans.

At any given point, around half of the caucus was absent, leading Andrea Segovia, senior field and policy director for the Transgender Education Network of Texas to slam them on social media.

The inaction from many Democrats also allowed members from the other side to share lies about transgender people. Halting or reversing a transition is relatively rare. According to a study by researchers in the United States, a full “detransition” only happens in an estimated 8 percent of cases.

Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), SB 1257’s sponsor, said it is “meant to protect Texans, not to harm them.” Cloaking the bill in compassion, Leach continued. “If at some point in the future they decide to detransition, the bill will require any health benefit plan that provides coverage for gender transition procedures and treatment.” 

Among the most forceful opponents was Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas), who is also chair of the LGBTQ Caucus.

“This bill is meant to accomplish one thing. In my opinion, it is to block transgender individuals from accessing lifesaving medical care. To mandate health insurance plans to cover the transition of care … signals to insurers to deny coverage for all transgender folks,” she said.

González added, “Evidence has proven that providing necessary care significantly improves the mental well-being and overall quality of life for individuals. Denying them this crucial health psychological support is deeply immoral. These are adults making deeply personal decisions about their own bodies, and this state mandate is designed to ensure they do not get the crucial care they require.” 

González did not lose any of her energy when it came time to HB 229, which was referred to as the “Women’s Bill of Rights.” Bill author Troxclair said she was concerned women and girls were being “erased” given the pressures of “activists judges and political pressure” to recognize transgender people. “If anyone can claim the legal status of women based solely on identity, then the very concept of sex-based rights collapses,” Troxclair, flanked by fellow Republican women, said.

Again Rep. González was out in force: “I’m just trying to figure out the purpose of why you’re trying to erase trans individuals,” she asked the author.

“I just don’t understand why people’s lives, why you’re playing with their lives due to politics, when in reality it’s just, you’re just discriminating against these people,” González insisted. “People are going to exist and look a certain way whether you like it or not.”

Other Democrats joined her. But not the entire caucus.