In response to the Texas Legislature’s attack on trans Texans, Texas Impact mobilized faith leaders from across the state to oppose harmful legislation that would prohibit health professionals from providing gender-affirming care to individuals under 18. On Monday, March 27, in partnership with the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Queer Alliance, Texas Impact mobilized legislative testimony; organized office visits; and for 17 hours held space for prayer, reflection, and meditation by Texans of all faiths.
The vigil featured prayers and reflections by Bishop Michael Rinehart of the Gulf Coast Synod ELCA, and Brian Ellison, executive director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians. Throughout the day, Texas clergy, along with seminary faculty and students, took “shifts,” leading singing, prayers, and meditations. Participants were deeply moved by a performance by Nahuatl dancers.
Members of the APTS community provided food and water for vigil participants, organized carpools to and from the seminary, and helped witnesses register to testify in opposition to HB 1686 in the House Committee on Public Health. Students, faculty, and other faith leaders provided pastoral care to individuals preparing to testify.
The bill, HB 1686, would make access to medical gender affirming treatments and procedures for minors illegal, as well as allowing the Texas Medical Board to revoke the license of a physician who provides gender modification treatments to minors.
The chair of the committee, Rep. Stephanie Klick, arbitrarily concluded the hearing at midnight without hearing most of the witnesses who had registered to testify in opposition.
Klick stated that the public testimony portal would remain open until Friday for people to register their opinion. Meanwhile, opponents of the bill staged a “Die-in” chanting “Klick lies, kids die”, while lying on the floor of the Capitol, wearing “blood splattered” t-shirts.
