Texas Attack On Transgender Students

Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina & National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle jointly respond to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to report the parents of transgender minors to state authorities for abuse if it appears that they are receiving gender-affirming medical care stating, “Across our races, backgrounds & genders, we want to be treated with dignity & respect. But today, certain politicians are pushing laws that restrict our freedoms because of the color of our skin, what’s in our wallets, or because we are transgender. Take Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s ill-conceived & harmful directive to task professionals who work with children – including teachers, nurses & doctors – to report the parents of transgender minors to state authorities for abuse if it appears that they are receiving gender affirming medical care. No parent should worry that their child’s gender affirming & sometimes lifesaving – care is criminalized because of bigotry & misinformation. By stoking fear, Governor Abbott is attempting to distract & divide us so we will not notice his failures to provide what our students & families need – inclusive, safe & fully resourced schools. Governor Abbott joins a growing list of politicians around the country who are manufacturing false narratives to inflame & divide communities by limiting what history our kids can learn about, what books they can read & now, by putting children in harm’s way by directing state agencies to report parents if it appears their children are receiving gender-affirming medical care. Instead of dividing communities, politicians like Governor Abbott should focus on making sure all students receive the education they deserve, making schools places where children thrive & where students have the freedom to learn without fear or intimidation. We are not fooled by their cruel & politically motivated tactics & will continue to join parents, students & educators to make public schools places where we are all free to thrive & support each other for who we are.” For More Info...