John,
I’m writing to you from Texas, where we’re on the front lines fighting against the latest attempt to strip trans kids of their dignity. For weeks now, we have been working with parents, families, doctors, social workers and teachers to ensure the transgender youth in our state feel safe and loved – despite Greg Abbott’s efforts to erase us.
For the transgender youth of Texas, and the community that love and support them, Abbott’s order criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare and punishing parents of trans kids as “child abusers” is very real and is causing irreparable and unimaginable harm. Families, doctors, and most importantly, transgender youth are all terrified that Child Protective Services might come knocking on their doors. Some are making plans to leave Texas all together. Still, many others cannot leave, and why should they have to? Texas is our home. And despite these cruel attacks, our home is worth fighting for.
Last week, a Texas judge ruled that the state may not investigate parents seeking gender-affirming care for their children. Still, the assault on our community continues.
As a transgender, first-generation immigrant, this fight is deeply personal for me. I know what it’s like to be a trans kid in Texas. I first came out as transgender twelve years ago. Now, as a transgender adult, I believe that trans youth, like all kids, deserve the chance to grow up as who they are, free from political attacks on their humanity.
Right now, the ACLU of Texas, where I work, is focused on fighting back against this directive to ensure parents and kids aren’t ripped apart. And as a 2021 Victory Empowerment Fellow (VEF), I met LGBTQI+ and trans leaders from around the country who are standing up against similar hate in their states. So today, I must ask: will you make a split donation to support these two organizations and continue the fight?
This directive doesn’t just terrorize LGBTQI+ families within our state, it sets a dangerous precedent for transgender rights nationwide. As a VEF, I learned how to run a campaign, heard from amazing leaders who are currently fighting in legislatures and city councils around the country, and connected with strong like-minded advocates working to ensure full legal and lived equality for all LGBTQI+ people. Having this network standing with me lets me know I’m not fighting alone – and that we’re fighting to win.
While Victory Institute is focused on training LGBTQI+ leaders and activists like me who will run for office in states like Texas, we also need organizations like the willing to launch legal challenges, connect families to crucial resources and counter the narratives that weaponize harming transgender people for political gain. That’s where my work at the ACLU of Texas comes in – and both are necessary to ensure bad bills and cruel directives like Abbott’s are stopped.
I believe that we will win, and to do so both organizations need resources to continue the fight. Will you split a donation between Victory Institute and the ACLU of Texas? You’ll not only be standing up to Greg Abbott, but also supporting a new generation of LGBTQ leaders in the fight for a more just and fair world for LGBTQI+ people nationwide.
Until we win,
Adri Perez
Pronouns: they, them, elle
ACLU of Texas | Victory Empowerment Fellow
