Texas Bill Would Make Identifying as Transgender a Crime

metroweekly.com:

recent directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that would permanently ban transgender athletes from entering the United States for athletic competitions if they have identity documents with a gender marker that does not align with their assigned sex at birth.It also aligns with an executive order from President Donald Trump declaring that the federal government will only recognize two sexes — male and female — based on a person’s assigned sex at birth.It comes on the heels of a bill introduced last year that banned transgender residents from changing the gender marker on their drivers licenses or birth certificates to align with their gender identity.This year, Republican lawmakers have introduced a separate bill to ban gender-affirming care for all individuals, including adults, after successfully passing a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth two years ago.If passed, the bill could prove problematic for transgender individuals who have had some of their identity documents changed to reflect their gender identity.Moreover, regarding private employers, anybody seeking to have their gender identity recognized at work could be prosecuted under the law.

Callie Butcher, the founder of Butcher Legal Group, a Dallas law firm that serves the LGBTQ community, told the Houston Chronicle that while she doesn’t believe Oliverson’s bill will pass, it is consistent with other bills introduced in Texas seeking to erase transgender identity and restrict freedom of expression.