Not Content With Abusing Women & Voters, TX Gov Abbott Now Turns his Sights on Transgender Kids
Not satisfied with a legislative session that curtailed voting rights and made it nearly impossible to obtain a legal, safe abortion, Texas Gov Greg Abbott has again summoned lawmakers back to Austin to address additional right-wing priorities ahead of his reelection bid in 2022. He has called for another special legislative session in order to deal with some housekeeping matters [redistricting] and the nonexistent problem of transgender student athletes running amok in the state.
Last Spring the Texas Senate passed a bill banning transgender students from competing on school sports teams based on their gender identity, but it didn't become law before the end of that legislative session. Abbott wants them to finish their work on the bill so he can sign it this Fall.
Opponents have pointed out that the bill is just more culture war nonsense as Republicans haven't been able to find even one transgender athlete in the state. And it probably doesn't matter if they did.
Texas Tribune: "And medical professionals have largely debunked the argument that transgender athletes have an advantage, with one study showing people taking hormones did not have a significant performance edge in distance running."
"Opponents said the Republican leadership-backed bill was a “fear tactic” in search of a problem that doesn’t exist."
Gov. Abbott has several very conservative GOP challengers to his reelection bid next year and wants to prevent them from attacking him from the right. So, he has used the 2021 legislative session to address every right-wing priority he can think of. That's why he also wants lawmakers in the upcoming special session to enact legislation prohibiting government entities from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations. The vast majority of Covid antivaxxers are conservative Republicans and they will be a substantial force in next year's Gubernatorial primary.
By: Don Lam & Curated Content
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore
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