Rev. Erin Walter, Minister & Executive Director, Texas UU Justice Ministry
Dear Texas UUs and justice seeking friends,
Trans people embody the inherent worth and dignity that is a pillar of our Unitarian Universalist faith. At the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, our hearts are with trans kids, their families and caregivers, and all trans and nonbinary people. We love you fiercely, and will forever fight for your rights and honor the beautiful ways you are you.
As has been reported, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott are threatening to remove trans-children from their homes if parents seek gender-affirming care, prosecute their parents for child abuse, and prosecute mandatory reporters — including clergy — for failing to report this “child abuse.”
These threats are abhorrent, unconscionable, and immoral, and Paxton and Abbott’s fear-mongering poses real danger to the health and safety of trans Texans. However, we also want to send legal and spiritual reassurance from TXUUJM partners, ministers, and friends (below).
To trans UUs and parents, caregivers, and families of trans kids: You are deeply loved. Paxton and Abbott do NOT speak for your communities of faith. Your clergy are NOT required to report gender-affirming care, nor would we. We pray you are tending to your needs and doing what gives you joy right now. Please reach out to your local clergy or church care teams for support, or contact TXUUJM@gmail.com and let us know how your state justice ministry can support you. We pledge to do everything we can.
In faith,
– Rev. Erin Walter, Minister & Executive Director, Texas UU Justice Ministry