LGBTQIA+ Equality

Photo: A large crowd in colorful clothing gathers under an overpass. Many hold signs that say "Pride is still protest" or "Trans people belong." A few in the foreground hold a large vynl banner that says "ACLU of Texas"

What you need to know

86%

86% of Texas LGBTQIA+ youth surveyed by The Trevor Project in 2022 reported that recent politics negatively impacted their well-being.

2 in 3

The 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.

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:

The Latest

News & Commentary
Monica Roberts with a loudspeaker and text that says "We are Texas pride"

Storytelling Is Memory and Advocacy: The Legacy of Monica Roberts

Monica Roberts (1962-2020) is remembered as a griot, an auntie, a sister, an advocacy icon, and a beloved friend. It's important to remember the griot who ensured so many other people were remembered too.
Press Release
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ACLU of Texas, Professors Sue Texas A&M System Over Censorship Policy, Detail Violations of Academic Freedom

Faculty have been instructed to remove educational materials — like the film “Moonlight” and writings by Plato — from syllabi following policy banning race, gender, and sexual orientation related topics
Issue Areas: Free Speech and Pluralism, LGBTQIA+ Equality
Press Release
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Joint Statement on Ruling from Texas Supreme Court

The Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling in Doe v. Abbott and PFLAG v. Abbott, challenging the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services’ mandate to investigate families with transgender children.
Issue Areas: LGBTQIA+ Equality
Court Cases: Doe v. Abbott and PFLAG v. Abbott
Press Release
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ACLU of Texas Announces Dr. Robyn B. Adams, Activist/Scholar at Southwestern University, as Next Artist-In-Residence to Advocate for Reproductive Justice

HOUSTON — The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas has selected Round Rock, Texas-based musician, poet, and activist Dr. Robyn B. Adams (they/them) as its 2026-27 artist-in-residence.
Issue Areas: Reproductive Freedom, LGBTQIA+ Equality

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation

Legislation
Aug 6, 2021

SB 2: Transgender Sports Ban

Status: In House Committee
Position: Oppose