GLAAD Calls on Texas Gov. Abbott to Veto Anti-LGBTQ Adoption Bill

NEW YORK – Texas lawmakers in Austin took aim at transgender Texans, vulnerable children, and LGBTQ families late Sunday night by advancing HB 3859, which allows adoption agencies to turn away LGBTQ couples, and SB 2078, which includes an anti-transgender amendment that bars students from using the restroom that matches their gender identity.

“It is appalling to see Texas lawmakers use their anti-LGBTQ agenda to block children from loving families and put the safety of transgender students in jeopardy at their own schools,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Governor Abbott should protect Texas’ reputation and economy by vetoing dangerous legislation like HB 3859 instead of letting Texas lawmakers sneak discriminatory legislation through while the nation’s attention is diverted.”

In a last minute move on Sunday, May 21, Texas lawmakers in the House added an anti-transgender “bathroom” floor amendment to Senate Bill 2078, a bill originally focused on school districts’ safety and emergency operation protocols. This amendment specifically singles out transgender K-12 students by barring them from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity. SB 2078, including the “bathroom” amendment, now goes back to the Texas Senate for approval. If voted through, SB 2078 would then head to Governor Abbott’s desk – who has said that any form of discriminatory “bathroom” legislation was a priority for this session.  

Also last night, just after the Texas House approved SB 2078, the Texas Senate voted through House Bill 3859 which would allow state-funded or private adoption agencies to use religion as a weapon by refusing adoption requests by marginalized communities, including LGBTQ couples. Further, HB 3859 could bar the State of Texas from suspending contracts with state-funded agencies that subject LGBTQ youth to dangerous and medically discredited “conversion therapy” practices. HB 3859 now heads to Governor Abbott’s desk.

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