LGBTQ

Dr. Ximena Lopez, a pediatric endocrinologist in Dallas, has been at the forefront of gender-affirming medical care for trans youth in Texas for the past 10 years. Now, as the state prepares to ban this care for minors, Lopez announced she’s closing her practice and moving to California.

The version of Senate Bill 12 preliminarily passed by the Texas House excludes language targeting drag performers — a big change from the version the Senate passed last month.

After the hospital announced the departure of doctors in its adolescent medicine clinic, patients and their families are looking for new care providers — in Texas and beyond.

Bills like SB 14 would ban care for minors in the state and penalize doctors offering this care. Texans share how it’s felt to live in the state during this moment of uncertainty.

If Senate Bill 14 becomes law, Texas would prohibit the administration of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender youth under 18. On Monday, the bill received final approval from the House, with several Democrats voting with their Republican colleagues.

LGBTQ rights activists had flooded the Texas Capitol on Tuesday ahead of an expected vote on Senate Bill 14, which would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth. The measure will likely be taken up by the chamber later this week.

Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, slammed the measures, saying “they can talk about drag shows and they can talk about nonsense. But at the end of the day, we are not protecting our most precious asset — and that is our children.”

The bill now heads to the Texas House for consideration. Research shows the discontinuation of gender-affirming care can lead to physical and mental challenges.

One of the oldest homes still standing in Austin was once known as The Chateau. Its residents hosted legendary parties that were often safe spaces for gay people in the 1960s and '70s. Today, the home is boarded up — but there’s a new effort brewing to ensure it’s preserved.

Senate Republicans have decided to focus on bills that target gender-affirming care for minors, drag performances, and school books that talk about gender and sexuality.