Texas anti-lgbtq laws

89th Regular Session: the Overview

The Bill’s Scope
This bill amends the “General Definitions” section of the Texas Government Code. Definitions in this section, which span the entire Texas Government Code, “apply unless the statute or context in which the word or term is used requires a different definition.” In other words, these definitions work to “clarify” any and all Texas statutes, codes, and rules in which the words are mentioned. While the bill only specifically implicates governmental entities that “collect vital statistics information that identify the sex of an individual for the purpose of complying with antidiscrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering public health, crime, economic, or other data” and requires that those entities identify each individual as either male or female (of course, according to the definitions in this bill), the category of “governmental entity” includes an array of agencies, departments, as successfully as municipalities, counties, and districts.

The main entities that collect the vital statistics information described in this bill are the Texas Department of Public Protection (DPS), DPS’ Crime Records Division (CRD), and the

LGBTQIA+ Equality

The ACLU of Texas works to protect, defend, and expand the constitutional and civil rights of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, lgbtq+, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Texans.

Texas is home to the second largest population of LGBTQIA+ people in the state, yet across the state, LGBTQIA+ Texans lack basic protections. Many face discrimination, harassment, bullying, and violence in their daily lives simply for being who they are. This is especially correct for the most vulnerable groups fancy LGBTQIA+ Texans of color, transgender Texans, and LGBTQIA+ youth.

We have worked with hundreds of LGBTQIA+ students and their families to advocate against discrimination in school, and we developed a toolkit with our partners to empower childish people to occupy in direct representation. In 2023, Texas lawmakers proposed over 140 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with 7 of those bills passing. And in 2025, Texas lawmakers proposed over 200 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with eight of those bills passing.

When the governor tried to victim families of gender diverse youth who demand gender-affirming medical nurture, we blocked these harmful actions by immediately challenging them in court, taking the fight t

LGBTQIA+ Rights

In 2021, delegates to Texas AFT’s statewide convention voted on a resolution supporting LGBTQIA+ students and educators.

Texas AFT is resolved to provide aid and resources to local unions to engage with school district officials on the urgent need to recruit, retain, and respect LGBTQIA+ educators. Texas AFT is also resolved to oppose the passage of state laws or local policies that discriminate against students and condemns the actions taken by the Texas Legislature to condone discrimination against transgender youth.
Texas AFT 2021 Biennial Convention

This resolution not only codifies our values and engagement to equality but also guides our union’s policy work on a day-to-day basis.

Our Union Stands with LGBTQIA+ Texans

#LetKidsPlay

After several efforts to pass a bill banning trans students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identities had been thwarted during past legislative sessions, Republican lawmakers pushed through Property Bill 25 in 2021, during the year’s third special legislative session.

HB 25 not only excludes and targets an already vulnerable and marginalized organization of children, but it

Texas Legislature shifts right: What that means for the LGBTQ community

The political landscape in Texas has shifted further to the right as we head into the 2025 legislative session. This alter comes after a surge in political campaigns focusing on gender identity and transgender rights, issues that have become a principal focus for conservative lawmakers. LGBTQ rights advocates tell the Texas Legislature, now more conservative than ever, shows no signs of slowing down.

A more violent conservative agenda?

In recent years, Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have introduced a wave of bills targeting the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people. Florida’s controversial "Don’t Say Gay" bill, bans on gender-affirming nurture for minors, and laws restricting minors from attending drag shows are just a few examples.

Texas was no different, with lawmakers and state leaders at the forefront of some of the most offensive policies targeting the rights of transgender people.

Matt Lamb, a political science professor at Texas Tech University, believes the focus on restricting LGBTQ rights in Texas will only intensify next year.

"Given how some of the more moderate Republica

2025 anti-trans bills tracker
Alabama2025 - 2025 Regular Session02/04/202505/15/2025Alaska2025-2026 - 34th Legislature01/21/202505/20/2026Arizona2025 - 57th Legislature; First Session01/13/202504/26/2025Arkansas2025 - 95th General Assembly; Regular Session01/13/202504/11/2025California2025-202612/02/202411/30/2026California2025 Spec Session 1 - X112/02/202401/31/2025Colorado2025 - 75th General Assembly; First Session01/08/202505/07/2025Connecticut202501/08/202506/04/2025Delaware2025-2026 - 153rd General Assembly01/14/202506/30/2026District of Columbia2025-2026 - 26th Council Period01/02/202512/31/2026Florida2025 - Regular Session03/04/202505/02/2025Georgia2025-2026 - 157th General Assembly01/13/202503/31/2026Hawaii202501/15/202505/01/2025Idaho2025 - 67th Legislature; First Regular Session01/06/202503/31/2025Illinois2025-2026 - 104th General Assembly01/08/202512/31/2026Indiana2025 - 124th General Assembly; First Regular Session01/06/202504/29/2025Iowa2025 - 90th General Assembly; First Session01/13/202504/30/2025