My brothers sister in law and her family are fleeing Texas

[Danmel]

To protect their transgender daughter and save their family. She is 16 and they are being threatened with arrest and loss of custody. Mom and her other two kids are coming to Connecticut to live with family. Dad is staying behind to sell the house.
It's hard to believe this is America, but here we are.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. How awful for all of them! What happened to "The Land of the Free?"

They are doing the right thing, moving to Connecticut.

[Rebl2]

59. Not in TX

FL, MO, KS and on and on.

[soldierant]

75. I am certain they are not the only ones.

https://19thnews.org/2022/03/texas-briggle-family-trans-child-investigation-ken-paxton/

They are doing the right thing IMO.

[Delphinus]

2. I'm so sorry ...

I hope they find peace and safety there.

[FarPoint]

3. I believe...

This is the best option.

[SheltieLover]

4. So sorry to hear! 💔

Glad they are able to get out!!!

[sarcasmo]

5. Smart move. These dictator states are bad news.

[monkeyman1]

6. same here , their just sick of Texass period !

they think we should just give it back to Mexico!! but, they don't want either !

[YoshidaYui]

7. Holy cow

I am so sorry to hear this!

[Skittles]

8. they don't these folk to exist

they are NAZIS

[FakeNoose]

9. It's not America ... it's just Texas

I'm sorry that this is happening but I believe that it won't last. People in Texas will come to their senses finally and get these assholes out of office, eventually. However it's awful for your relatives, and I'm sorry they're the ones who have to deal with it. It's so unfair.

Elections have consequences, and they DO matter!

[niyad]

19. I suggest that you look up the bill that the ID house passed yesterday, making

it a crime punishable by LIFE IN PRISON for administering, or approving treatment for trans teens, or to send them out of state to receive treatment.

It is NOT " just texas". The rwnj's are digging in to impose American sharia law everywhere they can. Hundreds of bills targeting women's rights, the LGBTQIA+ commu ities. . .education. .the list goes on.

[Hekate]

30. People STILL just can't wrap their minds around the situation

[niyad]

35. Exactly. I think it is just so far outside rational thought and behaviour that many

find it impossible to comprehend.

[Hekate]

61. The OP just breaks my heart. Someone yesterday said what was going on was "just grandstanding"

No — this is REAL. Posters keep spouting that certain things are unconstitutional and will never survive a SCOTUS challenge. No — it already HAS, and more to come.

Three weeks ago we got the news that Griswold (precursor to Roe) is under direct threat, and I felt like I couldn’t even catch my breath. Two days after that Putin attacked Ukraine, and now the horrors in Ukraine are wall to wall coverage.

Meanwhile — the christo-fascists in THIS country are not stopping.

[Dorian Gray]

81. Thank you for saying this

I am one of those people who thought this law was "just posturing." I didn't think it had much of a chance to go through. (Foolish pollyanna belief on my part.)

Seeing how this directly affects kids and families is shocking. I'm very concerned for trans kids and their mental health. They face enough challenges as it is. Going after accepting families will just make that worse. Ugh.

[NullTuples]

67. That's why they're going after trans people first

Sorta like when Germany went after autistics & disabled people as "useless mouths" and used them to perfect the deadly showers on a small scale first.

[Chicagogrl1]

10. Unbelievable!!! F*ck Texas!

What has this country come to? I am sorry for your family. May they find peace in their new home.

[ShazzieB]

16. F*ck Texas is right!

Last edited Thu Mar 10, 2022, 05:04 AM - Edit history (1)

The people who run that state seem to do nothing but LOOK for ways to make things difficult for women, for poc, and for those whose sexuality and/or gender identity do not meet with governmental approval. It would be bad enough if everyone adversely affected could just pack up and leave, but what about all those who can't? It's absolutely horrifying!

And this is the country's second most populous state after California? Good God, what is this country turning into?

[keithhs28]

78. Under the very noses of the freedumb convoy truckers...

...the country is turning into an autocratic state.

[Hassler]

11. Sorry things have come to this.

I saw a story yesterday that an Idaho real estate company is actively recruiting nationwide
to get conservatives to move there (and of course buy houses).

[70sEraVet]

12. I would have expected corporations with offices, factories, etc. in Texas to complain

On top of valuable workers relocating because they are determined to protect their families, there will be other workers in not-insane states who will refuse to be transferred to Lone-Star-Hell.

[Rebl2]

60. Time for

corporations, factories, etc. to threaten to leave these states when they pass these idiotic bills.

[Farmer-Rick]

87. Yeah my nephew is with a big tax firm there

He is probably more liberal than I am. I don't understand how he can stand Texas. But he makes really good money there. To make it worse, his Dad, my brother, may have to move to Texas just to see his grandchildren. And my brother is a liberal too.

But I live in Tennessee so I can't complain. But my kids live in LA at least.

Just stay away from Missouri. They are about to pass a law to hunt down pregnant women who dare want an abortion and leave the state to do it. And it's not clear what women it will apply to. Is it permanent residents only or if you pass through the state will you be hunted down if you want an abortion too. Can they force women in other states to do as they say? It sounds almost as bad as the fugitive slave act.

[yellowdogintexas]

104. If he is in one of the major metropolitan counties, he is in a blue area

Dallas, San Antonio (Bexar county), Houston (Harris), Austin (Travis) and El Paso (ElPaso) are all definitely blue. Fort Bend County which borders Harris is also blue. Fort Worth (Tarrant) itself is blue but the county is not quite there yet. Beto did very well in his Senate race and President Biden did also.

It is a slow process I will be angry for the rest of my life because we did not turn out enough voters to take the Texas House majority in 2020. The next Lege drew the maps, made voter suppression worse and passed the abortion law. You know, the one where you can be a bounty hunter if you think a woman might have had an abortion.

[Farmer-Rick]

106. Well, glad to hear there are islands of blue there

I think my nephew is in one of those metropolitan areas. But knowing my nephew, he will not hesitate to spread his liberal ideas wherever he goes. He's not quiet about his political views.

I always admired that about him.

[CrispyQ]

108. A pregnancy test for every woman crossing state lines.

If it's positive, no travel pass.

This scares the crap out of me. I hope the 81 million people who voted for Biden are paying attention to what's going on & realize the importance of the midterms.

[70sEraVet]

114. When I was reading your post, I thought of the fugitive slave act, too

(I live in Tennessee also - in a very tiny, rural town. Home of big trucks and small minds.)

[multigraincracker]

13. Good for them. I wish them luck.

I've moved a lot in my life. I kind of like starting over someplace where no one knows me. It has always helped me in my growth as a person.
I'm now living in 4th "forever home".

[bucolic_frolic]

40. Might be a topic ripe for authorship

Lots of people who live for decades in "stuck". Or at least I've not heard the topic mentioned that way before.

[multigraincracker]

42. I'm not sure about NYC, but

I know now that I can survive and do well in almost any place, just enjoy towns with a college or university. I also look for a Blue leaning area. I like to join the local Democratic Party for a start.

[bucolic_frolic]

44. I just think a lot of people would like to do something like that but don't know how

The longer you live someplace the more entrenched one becomes. It's more than just downsizing a household. There are internal calculations, transporting a lifestyle, and mental adjustments. Just a thought. That's my problem, I post my thoughts all day sometimes.

[multigraincracker]

70. I have only one close relative and no

children, that makes easy for me. When I moved out of state last time, I met the love of my life and dragged her with me this time. We may move again sometime. She is close enough, 3 hrs to visit her family.
Thats just and it might not work for everyone.

[róisín_dubh]

79. You're describing me.

But I’m about to migrate to a new country. Leaving behind a good job, but it’s in a place I despise.
I’ve been stuck too long and life is too short.

[Missn-Hitch]

14. I am very interested to see how much more of this WE are going to take.

I guess migrating out of red and into blue is fine but that damn electoral college keeps getting in the way of THE PEOPLE.

[Cozmo]

15. Happiness is Texas in your rear view mirror!

[magicarpet]

65. The Fascist States of AmeriKKKa....

[Samrob]

17. So sorry for this.

hoping all find a safe harbor.

[Joinfortmill]

18. OMG. Hope they all stay safe.

[TomSlick]

20. Good call.

Their daughter will never be safe in Texas. Then again, things would not be much better here in Arkansas.

[Texaswitchy]

21. That is I wanted my Granddaughters in Canada.

I miss them but they are safe.

Texas was not always this way.

[Evolve Dammit]

46. It's not just TX. Glad for those who escape the madness. Basic tolerance is gone in some areas

[ZonkerHarris]

22. Good. They are not safe there. None of the Confederate slave states are safe anymore.

[Texaswitchy]

23. My Granddaughters are mixed race.

They are better off out of Texas.

[XacerbatedDem]

24. So sad that it's come to that, and in f**king America!

What happened to, " life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness..."

[Beartracks]

56. Only for the "right kind" of people, obviously.

[MontanaMama]

25. Women, girls and transgender youth aren't safe in TX.

There has been a huge influx of Texans moving up here to Montana. There are rumors that they are fleeing liberal influences in TX…I hope that isn’t true…if it is, they will ruin our blue politics here in Missoula. Scares the crap out of me. I hope they are moving here because this is a blue part of Montana.

I wish your family members well. Moving is so stressful.

[Lonestarblue]

26. The local news here in Austin has already reported investigations going on.

Vigilantes are turning in parents they suspect of having a transgender child. The Texas foster care system is awful, so parents of transgender kids will have to move out of state to keep their kids out of a system that has regular physical and sexual abuse by care providers. No child is truly safe because there are also right-wing teachers who see transgender children in their classes and are in a perfect position to report parents for investigation and possible removal of the child from their care. I cannot believe the absolute cruelty of the Republicans in this state.

[DBoon]

72. ..."they suspect of having a transgender child."

So if your child does not conform in every way to their narrow gender stereotypes, you will be under suspicion.

This isn't just about transgender children, this is an attack on anyone who fails to meet their idea of gender roles.

Your daughter wants to study engineering or plays football? You are under suspicion.

Your son wants to study art or doesn't care about football? You are under suspicion.

Don't think that being straight protects you form homophobia.

[pansypoo53219]

27. talibornagains. but don't call it sharia. churia?

[yellowdogintexas]

107. interesting piece about Sharia Law

https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/16/world/sharia-law-definition/index.html

a couple of snippets:
The word Sharia means “the path,” or “a road that leads one to water.” It refers to a set of principles that govern the moral and religious lives of Muslims.

“Sharia represents how practicing Muslims can best lead their daily lives in accordance with God’s divine guidance,” according to Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
(snip)

Shariah law, according to Muslims, includes “the principle of treating other people justly, of making sure that the financial system treats people fairly … and most importantly the basic principles of Islamic fate,” says Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman.

It encompasses things like marriage, divorce, inheritance and punishments for criminal offenses.

[Meowmee]

28. So sorry

It is good they can flee. Things are getting crazier and more fascist by the day here.

[blue sky at night]

29. there is only one hope for that shithole...

Beto O'Roarke, I wouldn't live there or anywhere in the south really...

[pwb]

31. This is Red America not all America.

Lesser America for sure. Connecticut is nice.

[niyad]

37. The haters are EVERYWHERE.

[Celerity]

54. Red America is well down the path to attempting to nationalise christofascism.

[LaMouffette]

32. I can't help but think this is part of a larger scheme to drive liberals out of red states and

to discourage out-of-state liberals from moving to red states in the future.

These bastards are trying to "cleanse" their historically Republican states of Democratic voters so that they can keep Texas, Missouri, Florida, etc., solidly red.

[dlk]

33. Republicans are on a rabid, hate-filled mission to turn back the clock

They will ultimately fail. I’m very sorry for the anguish they’ve caused your relatives and wish them every good thing.

[Mr.Bill]

34. I have a brother in law who is also leaving Texas.

He has no kids and is retired.

Oh, he's moving to Florida.

[Evolve Dammit]

47. That's not going to improve things much?

[Mr.Bill]

62. Well, his move doesn't really

have to do with politics that much. He and his wife lived most of their life in Southern California. They both retired with huge six-figure pensions. The move to Texas was all about taxes. His wife's career had her traveling all over the Caribbean and central America for many years. She really wants to move there but he won't leave the USA. Florida is a compromise. One that he will regret, I'm sure.

[Evolve Dammit]

91. If money was no object I think I'd build my own gated community to keep the rednecks out!

[First Speaker]

36. This is, in the strictest sense of the word, state-sponsored terrorism...

[UpInArms]

38. Life gets so much better after Texas

I left there in 1992 …

[mountain grammy]

39. That's awful. I'm so sorry for them.

[johnsolaris]

41. your hate does not help.

Hi,

It is sad to see the Hate & Filth that I usually associate with Republicans being spread on the DU. Those of us that live here in Texas understand fully the extent of the battle being waged. We are outnumbered, outspent, & excuse me, outgunned. That does not mean we are giving up, I have lived in Texas my entire life & I will not abandon the fight. It would be nice to see a bit of support instead of Hate. It is sad the moderators allow this.

[bullwinkle428]

45. Seriously? I've re-read the OP 3 times, and I don't see a bit of hate. Fear, absolutely,

and perhaps even terror, which is more than justified, given the circumstances.

Riddle me this, Sir - can you tell me if the Jews who made the decision to leave Germany in the years prior to the start of WWII were exhibiting "hate"?

I read something very recently that made an incredible point about human nature in general. It stated that most people are essentially looking for 3 things in life - to be safe, to be loved, and to be free. It's obvious that some Texas legislators are trying to take all of those things from a certain segment of society.

[vercetti2021]

48. I am

This state is too far up its own dumbass its never gonna change. Being transgender myself. It's only a matter of time before they outright ban transitioning all together. Not sticking around in this fascist shithole much longer anyways.

[Evolve Dammit]

49. It's the posters truth, not hate.

[Ocelot II]

52. I didn't see any hate by the OP. I saw sadness and fear because the TX legislature

passed a hateful law that endangers that family to the point where they felt they had no choice but to leave the state. The majority GOP in the TX legislature obviously does not reflect the values of many residents of the state, but it's certainly fair to excoriate those legislators.

[uponit7771]

53. Republicans attacked America on J6, that's not "hate" that's fact

[mopinko]

90. i see you dont post much, despite being here a decade.

apparently dont know how the place works. there havent been mods for YEARS now.
just juries of your peers. and lucky for you, cuz back in the day, i think this may well have been taken down as a personal attack on the op.

[ismnotwasm]

93. Hi!

It is sad to see the lack of concern and compassion I usually associate with Republicans being spread on “the DU”

This is a *very* interesting comment however.

[wryter2000]

94. Do you have a transgender child?

If not, your situation is entirely different from the terror this family is facing. Are you willing to sacrifice your child to continue the fight?

[Random Boomer]

105. Native-born Texan here

You're objecting to people calling out and condemning hateful legislation and hateful politicians in the state of Texas? You see the fear and revulsion of this fascist behavior as somehow hate directed toward you personally?

Isn't that special....

[BlueSky3]

43. I wonder if red states will

experience a “brain drain” as people refuse to move there for tech jobs or anything else, really. It seems possible that the companies who’ve moved to Texas recently will finder it harder to meet their recruitment quotas.

[DBoon]

73. They would be happy if that happened

As prior poster mentioned, this may be intended to prevent educated and more liberal people from moving into the state.

[vercetti2021]

50. Good on them

I'm glad they have a place to go from this fascist shithole state. I'm going to leave myself within the next couple of years to Colorado or New Mexico. Maybe Spokane so I can be with my bestie. Being transgender myself and being in this state. I feel absolutely unsafe despite having a concealed weapon on me constantly now

[Celerity]

51. Texas, once gain putting the T in shithole

so sorry for your extend family's forced exodus

[calimary]

55. I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

I'm sorry that your family has to face this.

It IS hard to believe this is America sometimes.

[Hekate]

57. That just breaks my heart. I am so glad they are leaving like that, like NOW

May all of them find safety and happiness in a new life out of Texas.

[Jetheels]

58. Get out while you can.

In Idaho it’s a felony to leave the state with a trans child.
Sorry this is happening to you.

[Hekate]

63. If the whole family moves, can they really make that stick? Are families able to send a child ahead

…to relatives?

I. Just. Can’t.

[Haggis 4 Breakfast]

68. That will NEVER stand up in courts.

This "law" is indefensible and no court would uphold it.

[Karma13612]

74. You mean that you are not

Free to leave one state and move to another?

How is that legal? The family can’t move? That sounds like state imprisonment or something.

I mean, if the father/husband gets a job in another state, he can’t move his family? Or he needs to abandon his child to who? A stranger? The state? A church?

Can you clarify this law??

This sounds totally unconstitutional.

[Jetheels]

76. It's a bill. Sorry if I was not clear. Here's a link below.

https://www.newsweek.com/idaho-house-passes-anti-trans-youth-treatment-bill-hb675-1686298

[wryter2000]

95. Lord have mercy?

How can you make it a crime to run from oppression?

[bucolic_frolic]

64. That is just terrible

Sure hope the political winds turn in the country. Families are incurring a lot of costs of moving. Ripe for class action.

[Withywindle]

66. This is terrible and I'm so sorry

The hate is off the scale, and the vigilantism is terrifying. Sad to say but I think they're smart to get out. It shouldn't have to be that way. Wishing them all the best.

[NullTuples]

69. That young woman has a good family.

I've heard people say, "stay and fight" without fully realizing that means trans teens would be forced to undergo an unmanaged puberty, - which is exactly what the Republicans want.

Not everyone can leave; for some it's financially or physically simply not possible. There are efforts being cobbled together to try to help them, but it won't be enough.

Moving is hard even under the best of circumstances, when it's planned in order to make a family's life better. Families of trans teens in Texas are being forced to move under the worst of circumstances.

As I've pointed out elsewhere:

The definition of terrorism is, "The use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims."

[young_at_heart]

71. My daughter and her husband left 5 years ago

We (and they) were happy then and after reading this I am grateful that they did leave and we never have to set foot in that state again!

[csziggy]

77. Show them this - it might give some hope

But I don't blame them for leaving.

Texas loses appeal over investigation of transgender teen’s family
By ANDREW DeMILLO
Published: Mar. 9, 2022 at 12:53 PM EST|Updated: 5 hours ago

(AP) – A Texas court on Wednesday tossed out the state’s appeal of an order preventing child welfare officials from investigating the parents of a transgender teenager over gender-confirming care the youth received.

The Texas 3rd Court of Appeals dismissed Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton’s appeal of the temporary order a judge issued last week halting the investigation by the Department of Family and Protective Services into the parents of the 16-year-old girl.

The court ruled that the judge’s temporary order was not appealable.

The parents sued over the investigation and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that officials look into reports of such treatments as abuse. The lawsuit marked the first report of parents being investigated following Abbott’s directive and an earlier nonbinding legal opinion by Paxton labeling certain gender-confirming treatments as “child abuse.”

More: https://www.kwtx.com/app/2022/03/09/texas-loses-appeal-over-investigation-transgender-teens-family/?outputType=apps

[TreasonousBastard]

103. At least we still have the courts. Most of 'em, anyway.

[Dorian Gray]

80. Oh gosh

I am so sorry their lives need to be upended bc of this. Ugh.

[krispos42]

82. Welcome to Connecticut!

Whereabouts, approximately, are they moving to?

[Danmel]

83. Fairfield County

I don't remember the town. It's his stepdaughters house. I haven't been to their home. But they are lovely people with adorable little kids.

[krispos42]

89. I'm in Fairfield County

Live and work here!

Best pizza in the world!

[wryter2000]

96. I went to high school in Fairfield County.

Lovely country.

[drbtg1]

101. Ah, Connecticut! The land where, when Republican politicians commit crimes,..

...they actually go to jail! Just ask Waterbury mayor Philip Giordano or Governor John Rowland!

[Klondike Kat]

84. Refugees

I don't know what else you could call them.

I wish them well.

[CrackityJones75]

85. Maybe we could just give Texas to Russia.

tell them to call off the war with Ukraine and just give them Russia. Texas wants put of the IS. They seem to support ideas that russia supports. heck it’d be a win-win in my book!

[PittBlue]

86. This is horrifying.

I never imagined that the fascists would take control. We cannot let this continue.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

88. Welcome to Texas, The Nazi State

I have refused to set foot in Texas since 1979, because of some really nasty, mean people I encountered there.

[IronLionZion]

92. So disappointing. I was hoping Texas would turn blue soon

and then things would get better for all Texans

[Caliman73]

97. Very sad, but not that hard to believe.

It wasn't more than 60 years ago that Black people couldn't sit at the same lunch counter as White people. It wasn't until the late 1960's that all laws against miscegenation (interracial marriage) were nullified.

We make ourselves out to be this shining bastion of civil liberties, and in some ways we are good, but I for one, do not find it hard at all to believe that this is America. I have never bought into the idea of American Exceptionalism. We have a promising foundation in rhetoric, when other countries at the time were ruled by absolute monarchs. Since then however, other countries have done MUCH more to protect the rights of their citizens, especially minority groups.

[BobTheSubgenius]

98. Friends of mine are fleeing the country.

Oddly, they have both had dual citizenship for at least decades. (My friend Stu, from birth.) For several years, they were snowbirds in Sun City AZ in the winter, and summered on a lovely lake upisland.

They loved their lifestyle - who wouldn't? - and even bore the $1500 a month medical insurance while in the US quite willingly. Now, some of the craziness has reached their neighbourhood, and they can't seem to get away from it anywhere in AZ, so they're selling and moving back to the Island full-time.

[cab67]

99. eventually, Texas legislators will think twice about all of this social bullying.

They'll have to.

I know others have pointed out the positive spin many Texas extremists see in the brain drain - it diminishes a certain voting bloc.

But eventually, it won't just be the tech companies and universities. A lot of corporations - including in the oil and gas industry - will find it harder and harder to bring in top talent.

It might even impact professional sports teams in the state.

This is going to hit Texas in its wallet in the long run. We're nowhere near that tipping point yet, but at some point, it'll come.

It hurts me to see this happening. I went to grad school in Texas. I fell in love with several parts of the state.

[The Jungle 1]

100. It is fascism and we will have to end it.

America we must act. Call texass what it is a fascist state.

[Lydiarose]

102. Don't Say Gay Bill Passed in Florida

And Governor DeSatan is getting ready to sign it into law. Teachers are not allowed to mention the word gay in the K-3 classrooms. And in higher grades, LGBTQ discussions need to be "age appropriate" although there are no guidelines for that. Teachers are not allowed to recognize that a child has two mommies or two daddies.

Now what kills me about this is that DeSatan brags about Florida being the freest state in the union because he outlawed mask mandates and mandatory vaccinations. Free? Only free to do as he dictates.

Florida also passed a law limiting abortions to within 15 weeks! Totally stripping women of their rights to their own bodies! Free my arse!

[maxsolomon]

109. "they are being threatened with arrest and loss of custody."

if it's not too personal, can you give some info on who's threatening them (CPS?), and what they've done that prompted the threat?

[Danmel]

110. Their daughter is transitioning

She's 16. Parents are being threatened. They are afraid someone will turn them in.

[maxsolomon]

113. Thanks.

Hostile neighbors or classmates' parents, then - not authorities yet. Unfortunately, the law will need a test case in order to get tossed out.

[Behind the Aegis]

115. Here's your test case.

A mom who invited Texas AG Ken Paxton to meet her transgender son is being investigated
Amber Briggle says her long fight over gender-affirming care wasn’t a choice but her duty. Her Texas family is under investigation after state Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion this year saying gender-affirming treatments for transgender children constitutes child abuse. Later, Gov. Greg Abbott instructed the Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate any reported instances of such treatments.

The Briggles are now the target of such an investigation.

“I’m really not great,” Amber Briggle said. “Actually, my hair is falling out, I can’t sleep. It’s not – we’re not good.”

Briggle’s son is transgender. Back in 2016, she told Texas Standard she invited Paxton over to dinner to “put a human face” to the struggle for transgender rights that Paxton was challenging at the time via opposition to public school bathroom guidelines outlined by the Obama administration.

Today, Briggle tells the Standard that the open investigation by Child Protective Services, or CPS, is causing an immense amount of stress, but she and her husband are trying to shield their kids from the details.

https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-mom-who-invited-ken-paxton-for-dinner-to-meet-transgender-son-says-shes-now-losing-her-hair-over-an-investigation-prompted-by-his-opinion/

Jilly_in_VA

[budkin]

111. SO MUCH FREEDOM

IN TEXAS!

[stollen]

112. Welcome to Fascism

What a pity. Americans have several countries that can provide past practice examples of what NOT to do when building a government. America's response? DON'T TREAD ON ME!

[Danmel]

116. New Yorker article about Texas families with transgender kids

At Home with the Families Affected by Texas’s New Anti-Trans Orders
After Governor Greg Abbott called medical care for trans children “child abuse,” their families began weighing their options.

By Rachel Monroe

March 9, 2022
Last Tuesday, when Matt Kent picked up his sixteen-year-old son, Jackson, from an appointment, Jackson could tell that “something was off,” he said. Matt is a pilot with a neat beard and a controlled manner, but something had disturbed his typical restraint. He didn’t tell Jackson what was wrong right away. “I wanted to gather my thoughts before unleashing something dumb out of my mouth,” Matt said when we spoke a few days later. All families interviewed for this story asked to use pseudonyms to protect their privacy.

At home, on Galveston Island, Jackson learned the news that had disturbed his father. Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, had issued a nonbinding legal opinion classifying gender-affirming medical care for trans children as child abuse. A few hours later, Governor Greg Abbott published an order reinforcing Paxton’s statement, noting that doctors, nurses, teachers, and members of the public who fail to report such “abuse” to authorities may be subject to criminal penalties.




https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-southwest/at-home-with-the-families-affected-by-texass-new-anti-trans-orders?utm_medium=social&utm_brand=tny&mbid=social_facebook&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=facebook

[IngridsLittleAngel]

117. I'm sorry I missed this thread...

And I'm so sorry to hear what this young girl and her family are going through, all thanks to the fascist leadership in Texas and their neverending attack upon the trans community.

Being 16 is hard enough as it is, even if straight and cisgender and all that. But toss in the struggles of being trans and finding yourself and being your true self, while being surrounded by bigots, and being targeted by the government, and possibly CPS and law enforcement...

This is terrifying and heartbreaking. No one should have to go through this.. Especially someone at such a young age, who is part of such a vulnerable group.

I know a lot of people here are of the belief to "stay and fight." But that family needs to do what is best for them. Period. If they feel it's moving to New England? Do it. If they feel it's staying and fighting? Do it. While fighting back is needed, that's what we have the ACLU and the like for... And these parents must do what is best to protect their child from a system that is now working to harm children like their daughter.

I wish them all the best. May they stay safe. May that trans girl be looked out for and protected.

Sadly, though, I can believe this is America. I've watched this kind of hatred and bigotry brew for a long time. But after feeling emboldened by Dolt 45, and now throwing a tantrum because he's no longer president... They aren't holding back anymore. It's a horrible time to be a trans person if you're in the wrong part of this country, and, it's only going to get worse until they are stopped.

[Vinca]

118. They should look at the bright side. By leaving Nutistan, they won't have to worry about

freezing to death in the winter anymore. I could never understand why people want to live there in the first place.