The Dallas County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution at its Tuesday meeting affirming the court’s commitment to safeguarding LGBTQ rights in the county.
The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Theresa Daniel, says Dallas County is committed to ensuring all constituents are free from harassment and discrimination in any form. The resolution says transgender people face high levels of discrimination, stigma and bias that often fuels violence and abuse against them, and calls upon the Texas Legislature to codify protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The resolution references the more than 100 bills filed in the 88th Texas Legislature targeting the trans community, such as those that restricted the sports teams trans athletes can play on and banned puberty blockers, hormone therapy and transition surgeries for minor patients.
Also mentioned in the resolution is the recent Texas Department of Public Safety policy restricting transgender people from changing their sex on driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs, even if the person obtains a court order authorizing the change. Texas has also barred people from amending their sex on birth certificates.
Andrea Segovia, senior field and policy adviser for the Transgender Education Network of Texas, said Texas is now “one of the most dangerous and hostile places for transgender youth and transgender people and their families in America.”
The resolution also states that Texas’ attempts at restricting gender-affirming health care goes against evidence supported by multiple medical associations showing the care is “medically necessary and lifesaving.”
The resolution says the Commissioner’s Court is committed to providing an environment within Dallas County of equal protection and freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex, including protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
“We recognize that creating a welcoming county for LGBTQ +individuals and families would encourage LGBTQ +residents seeking an affirming place to live, and who may be coming from hostile environments, to find safety and put down roots in Dallas County,” the resolution says.
Commissioners also called on the Texas Legislature to codify protections for LGBTQ+ people and for the U.S. Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.