The ACLU of Texas works to protect, defend, and expand the constitutional and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) Texans. 

Texas is home to the second largest population of LGBTQIA+ people in the country, yet across the state, LGBTQIA+ Texans lack basic protections. Many face discrimination, harassment, bullying, and violence in their daily lives simply for being who they are. This is especially true for the most vulnerable groups like LGBTQIA+ Texans of color, transgender Texans, and LGBTQIA+ youth. 

We have worked with hundreds of LGBTQIA+ students and their families to advocate against discrimination in school, and we developed a toolkit with our partners to empower young people to engage in direct advocacy. In 2023, Texas lawmakers proposed over 140 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with 7 of those bills passing. And in 2025, Texas lawmakers proposed over 200 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills, with eight of those bills passing.

When the governor tried to target families of transgender youth who need gender-affirming medical care, we blocked these harmful actions by immediately challenging them in court, taking the fight to the steps of our Capitol, and shifting the narrative through extensive media coverage. We also worked with our partners to provide support and information directly to families targeted by these actions. Those lawsuits continue today.

Resources:

State Policies:

 

  • 86% 86% of Texas LGBTQIA+ youth surveyed by The Trevor Project in 2022 reported that recent politics negatively impacted their well-being.
  • 2 in 3The majority of Texans — nearly two in three people (73%) — support laws that protect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people against discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing. (PRRI, 2020)
  • 120+ Texas lawmakers filed more than 120 bills targeting transgender Texans in 2025.

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