July 9, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Texas Bill Seeks to Criminalize Being Transgender, Causing Concern and Anger

Law Would Make Being Transgender a Felony, Punishable by Prison

State Rep. Tom Oliverson, a Texas Republican legislator who represents a district in Houston, introduced a bill that would make being transgender a felony in the state, marking one of the most extreme pieces of anti-trans legislation proposed in the U.S. The bill would create a new criminal offense called “gender identity fraud.” Under the proposed legislation, individuals found guilty could face up to two years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.

Since its introduction on March 5, the bill has not gained any official support or co-sponsors within the Texas Legislature. Oliverson has yet to publicly comment on the proposal, and he did not respond to requests for comment.

“This fits right along with the agenda that we’ve been seeing pushed for the past several sessions, specifically around policing of people’s gender and how they’re able to identify themselves,” Callie Butcher, founder of an LGBTQ law firm in Texas, told Chron, a sister publication of the Houston Chronicle.

While experts say the bill has little chance of passing without additional support, its introduction is part of a growing trend of increasingly restrictive legislation targeting transgender individuals.

Oliverson’s bill is not the only proposal aiming to curtail transgender rights in Texas. Last month, Republican state Rep. Brent Money filed a bill that would outlaw transition-related healthcare—including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries—not just for minors but for all Texans, regardless of age.

Money’s bill is nearly identical to the controversial 2023 Texas law banning such treatments for minors. The only change in the new proposal is the replacement of the word “child” with “person,” effectively banning transition-related healthcare for adults as well. The bill would also strip public funding from any medical institution providing gender-affirming care.

The broader medical community has repeatedly opposed legislative efforts to ban transition-related healthcare. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association, support gender-affirming care for both minors and adults, citing decades of research demonstrating its benefits for mental health and well-being.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

July 4 ICE Raid on WeHo Car Wash Ends in Deportation of Local Resident

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Longtime West Hollywood Worker with Family’s Rent Money Taken in Raid A group of masked men and women, without official...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Newhart Family Lists Beloved Comedy Legend’s Townhouse in Century City

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Late TV Star’s Custom Townhouse, Filled With Memories and Holiday Cheer  A luxurious Century Woods townhouse once home to comedy...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...