Austin, Texas — In a significant development, a coalition of human rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Equality Texas, GLAAD, and the Human Rights Campaign, has urged the United Nations to investigate what they describe as a “human rights crisis” in Texas. The call comes in response to a series of anti-LGBTQ+ legislations that have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating situation for LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.
The coalition, with the support of the Human Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, submitted a comprehensive 37-page Joint Allegation Letter to 17 independent experts, working groups, and special rapporteurs at the United Nations. This letter draws attention to the alarming human rights crisis faced by LGBTQ+ Texans, exacerbated by recent legislation targeting the community.
The report focuses on seven key pieces of legislation enacted during the 88th Texas Legislative Session, each representing a facet of what the groups consider a comprehensive assault on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community:
- S.B. 14: Prohibits healthcare treatments for transgender youth, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapies.
- S.B. 15: Bars transgender athletes from collegiate sports.
- S.B. 17: Stops public universities from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
- SB 763: Allows untrained chaplains to counsel students, risking LGBTQ+ student exposure to harmful practices.
- S.B. 12: Bans public drag shows, labeling them "sexually oriented."
- H.B. 900: Lets schools remove "sexually explicit" library content, potentially affecting LGBTQ+ literature.
- H.B. 2127: Threatens local non-discrimination ordinances, impacting LGBTQ+ housing rights.
These laws collectively create a discriminatory and hostile environment, severely impacting healthcare, education, housing, cultural expression, and sports participation for the LGBTQ+ community in Texas, according to activists.
The United Nations Special Rapporteurs, independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, have been called upon to investigate and address this crisis. These rapporteurs monitor, advise, and publicly report on human rights situations, responding to individual complaints and conducting studies.
Ricardo Martinez, CEO of Equality Texas, expressed deep concerns about LGBTQ+ rights in Texas, stating, “It has made it hard for us to navigate life in Texas.” He highlighted the urgency of raising awareness at the international level, emphasizing the uniqueness of their experience.
GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis underscored the situation’s urgency, calling it a “human rights crisis in the state of Texas.” Ellis criticized state leaders for failing in their responsibilities and expressed international concern over discrimination against LGBTQ Texans, particularly in the transgender community.
We’re talking about the 141 bills that were introduced at the state legislature in 2023. That is an incredible number when you think about just the federal landscape. We accounted for more than 20 percent of all anti-LGBTQ+ bills [in the U.S.] This state alone.”
This call for a UN investigation follows the U.N. Human Rights Committee’s expressed concern in December 2023 over increasing state legislation in the U.S. restricting the rights of individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
By delivering relentless attacks on the rights, dignity, and very existence of LGBTQ+ people for years, lawmakers in Texas are sending a clear message that members of our community are neither welcome nor safe in their state.
This is creating a dire situation for queer and transgender Texans, forcing countless families to flee so their children can grow up safely as their true selves.”
As the situation in Texas continues to escalate, the urgent call for international intervention emphasizes the critical need to protect the rights, dignity, and very existence of LGBTQ+ individuals facing systemic discrimination in the state.
