Spending time at the capitol this past Monday and Tuesday has been heart-wrenching, interspersed with
community and solidarity with those whose rights are under attack. Here are a few glimpses into my
experiences there:
- Registering my opposition, both as an individual and a representative of San Gabriel, to harmful,
hateful bills like banning transathletes from Texas universities, and requiring every classroom to
display the ten commandments. - Hugging people – a lot! People I know, like Rev Erin Walter, Sarah Berel-Harrop and Michelle
Venegas-Matula of TXUUJM, who are working hard day in and out, other UUs who are showing
up as best they can, and folks we are in partnership with from Equality Texas, Human Rights
Campaign, and more. We need one another. - Witnessing the hateful rhetoric, taunts, and attacks anti-trans activists brought into the capitol
building as they show support the legislation being proposed. - Seeing both the righteous anger and humor with which this coalition is fighting back, with song,
with music, with signs, with chanting. We refuse to be made invisible. - Listening to the fears of a former San Gabriel family who moved from Georgetown to Austin in
order to provide a safer public school experience for their very young trans child. Now they are
considering moving out of state, even though it will take them away from beloved grandparents. - Watching with horror as troopers resorted to physical intimidation: forcing one person to the
ground and cuffing them, pushing everyone out of the building. It was scary and so, so wrong. - Experiencing the incredible resilience of folks who just want to be free – free of hate, free of
restriction, free of erasure – as they regroup, pivot, and refuse to be silenced – again, and again,
and again. - Hearing the pain of a young person I know from U-Bar-U summer camp as they describe UU
trans friends, teens who want to come to camp, but don’t know what they’ll do if/when their
hormone treatments are taken away from them. Make no mistake, this is a life-threatening
situation. - Hugging again, and just trying to offer support and kindness to those who had a terrible day at
the capitol, targeted and attacked for just wanting to live their lives as they are.
Senate Bill 14, the bill that will criminalize gender-affirming care for those under the age of 18, was
ultimately rescheduled to come back to the floor on Friday. Please keep yourself informed by signing
up for updates from the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry at TXUUJM.org and donate today.
Here are our TXUUJM folks – doing their good work. Blessings on them and all who are fighting back
right now.
In faith and community,
Corinna