Mixter Kit O'Connell<p>FREE on my Patreon: Despite failing in the regular <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Texas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Texas</span></a> legislative session, the "bathroom bill" is back yet again.</p><p>After Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill which would have banned hemp-derived THC products in the state, he called for a special legislative session to replace it with regulations, rather than a ban. In the leadup to the reopening of the lege, devastating floods claimed the lives of over 100 residents of Central Texas, including many children, and responding to this disaster also became a part of the agenda. </p><p>But the special session is quickly becoming a debacle. The Senate introduced a near-identical THC ban to the one that Abbott vetoed, with its sponsor claiming that it's impossible to regulate the plant. They're planning a massive power grab through redistricting. And, of course, the Texas Republican party can't pass up an opportunity to oppress a vulnerable group. They've revived a failed bill which would ban <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/transgender" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>transgender</span></a> women from bathrooms and locker rooms at public places, including government buildings and schools. It would also ban <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/trans" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>trans</span></a> women from women's prisons and domestic violence shelters. </p><p>When bathroom bills first appeared on the scene, the outcry was widespread and near universal. Corporations and sporting events threatened to boycott states that proposed these bans. Nowadays, many corporations are abandoning their support for <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/LGBTQIA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>LGBTQIA</span></a>+ people, and some Democrats want to turn on us — even powerful ones like California Governor Gavin Newsom.</p><p>Which was why I think it was so important to hear Texas Democratic lawmakers and politicians enthusiastically support transgender rights during Tuesday's press conference hosted by the All In For Equality coalition (which includes ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, Transgender Education Network of Texas and others). Since Republicans claim that these bills are about women's safety or privacy, the press conference featured survivors of abuse who spoke out against the weaponization of their stories against <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/trans" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>trans</span></a> people. </p><p>In 2013, I was in the halls of the capitol to support the "People's Filibuster" for abortion that finished what Wendy Davis started, and (while I'm suspicious of politicians in general) it was good to feel her solidarity this week. I wouldn't normally share so much of a press conference, but, as so many seem poised to turn away from supporting us, I think it's worth showing that many influential cis folks still believe trans rights are worth protecting publicly and proudly. </p><p>Read more on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/134939910" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="">patreon.com/posts/134939910</span><span class="invisible"></span></a> </p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/politics" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>politics</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/USpol" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>USpol</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/news" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>news</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/TXlege" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TXlege</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/transphobia" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>transphobia</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/fascism" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>fascism</span></a></p>