{"id":52180,"date":"2017-04-14T18:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-04-14T22:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/video-texas-students-speak-out-take-action-against-anti-transgender-sb6-bill\/"},"modified":"2017-04-14T18:00:29","modified_gmt":"2017-04-14T22:00:29","slug":"video-texas-students-speak-out-take-action-against-anti-transgender-sb6-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/video-texas-students-speak-out-take-action-against-anti-transgender-sb6-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: Texas students speak out, take action against anti-transgender SB6 bill"},"content":{"rendered":"

VIDEO: Texas students speak out, take action against anti-transgender SB6 bill<\/b><\/p>\n

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Students across Texas are voicing their grave concerns about Senate Bill 6 (SB6), a bill threatening harm to transgender people across the Lone Star State. Join the movement today at glaad.org\/texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SB6, which is similar to the widely-covered\u00a0HB2 in North Carolina, bans local governments from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances that protect transgender people, or from requiring companies with city contracts from having similar protections. It also restricts restroom and locker room access for transgender people in government buildings, public schools and universities.<\/p>\n

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GLAAD met with students on the ground at the University of Texas at Austin to discuss how the anti-transgender animus behind SB6 impacts their well-being as students, LGBTQ community members, or allies to their trans<\/a> peers. The students also shared ways in which they are rallying support for those most targeted by SB6, like encouraging allies to safely accompany trans<\/a> students to public facilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe possibility of having someone draw a gun on me because they think I\u2019m in the wrong bathroom is really terrifying,\u201d said Tahlia G., an undergraduate student at UT \u2013 Austin, referring to a a recent law allowing concealed handguns to be carried on her campus and at other public universities in the state. She added later, \u201cWe\u2019ve had beach balloons thrown at queer people\u2026[at] black people and other people of color.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thatcher Combs, a graduate student at the university noted that SB6 and bills like it can limit trans<\/a> students\u2019 opportunities to thrive on campus. \u201cHow do you expect somebody to be successful in anything when anywhere they go, they feel like they have a target on their back or their feel completely unwelcome?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a gay<\/a> man<\/a>, it\u2019s important for me to advocate because there wouldn\u2019t be gay<\/a> rights if it wasn\u2019t for trans<\/a> women<\/a>,\u201d said Tony Hernandez, noting the invaluable role that some of the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ community have played in the movement for full equality.<\/p>\n

Check out the video<\/a> here:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, GLAAD teamed up with Equality Texas, The Ally Coalition, and more than 160 leading artists, entertainers, and influencers to release an open letter opposing bills, including SB6, threatening harm to LGBTQ Texans. The letter demonstrated widespread disapproval for dangerous legislation.<\/p>\n

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@kiminoa_seattle<\/a> FYI sb6 has not become law. It passed the Texas senate. Still would need to pass the house and be signed by gov.<\/p>\n

\u2014 jessicashortall (@jessicashortall) March 20, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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This anti-trans<\/a> bill in Arkansas just passed the House. It goes to the Senate. SB6 in Texas has passed the Senate. Bills moving elsewhere. t.co\/XPgXjvIqql<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) March 17, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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#SB6<\/a> passed the Texas Senate. Help send a clear message to the House that this bill will hurt LGBTQ Texans: t.co\/JrM4KgzrLf<\/a> #StopSB6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 GLAAD (@glaad) March 15, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

SB6 sends a clear and hateful message to all LGBTQ people, especially transgender and gender non-conforming Texans directly targeted by this bill who feel unsafe at home and school. The Texas Senate has voted to pass SB6, which is now with the Texas House of Representatives. There is still time to stand against hate and support transgender Texans.<\/p>\n

Take Action<\/h2>\n