Texas Senate Bill 8 is nothing more than a politically motivated attack on the dignity, safety, and humanity of transgender people.

 

SB 8 does not make Texans safer. It does not protect women. It does not strengthen public institutions. Instead, it weaponizes fear to justify discrimination, and it creates conditions where transgender people, including trans youth and survivors of violence, can be denied basic privacy, safety, and lifesaving support.

 

We know when lawmakers target one community, they erode the civil rights and protections of all Texans. That is why we are calling on every Sheriff, every District Attorney, and every elected official across this state to use the full measure of their authority to protect members of the transgender community. We are calling on them to:

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• Use Prosecutorial Discretion to Decline Cases Targeting Trans People

• Issue Guidance Against Harassment

• Train staff on Respectful Interaction With Trans Residents

• Protect Trans Youth and Survivors in Crisis Settings

• Create a Civil Rights Enforcement or Hate Crimes Unit

• Use Their Platform to Oppose Discrimination

• Set Jail Policies that do not target Trans Members of the community

• Prioritize Diversion, Dismissals, and Non-Carceral Approaches

 

Let’s be clear, we know that District Attorneys and Sheriffs cannot unilaterally strike SB 8 from the law, but they can make it:​

• Unworkable

• Unenforceable

• Non-Punitive

• Symbolic Instead of Harmful

 

Further, more we call on our elected leaders to use their authority to:

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• Decline Discriminatory Enforcement

• Safeguard Transgender Residents

• Operate Jails Humanely

• Stand Publicly Against Discrimination

• Limit It’s Harm

By using their discretion, authority, and public voice, District Attorneys and Sheriffs can serve as a powerful line of defense for Transgender Texans.

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It is important to note that Texas Senate Bill 8 only applies to government agencies and publicly funded entities; not private businesses. Its restrictions on multi-occupancy facilities and requirements based on biological sex apply to places like; courthouses, public schools, and correctional facilities.

 

Our message is simple: Trans Texans are our family, our neighbors, and our loved ones. They deserve safety, respect, and the freedom to live their lives without fear. SB 8 undermines that fundamental promise and we will not remain silent while our community is harmed.

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