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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTexas removes suicide hotline from LGBTQ site because it could hurt GOP governor's reelection
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/10/texas-removes-suicide-hotline-lgbtq-site-hurt-gop-governors-reputation/The state is responsible for these kids lives, yet it intentionally removed a way for them to find help when they need it the most, said Ricardo Martinez of Equality Texas. This action is unconscionable, and it reminds us that political aspirations are part of every attack on LGBTQ+ kids in Texas.
These precious kids deserve so much better than the way this state is treating them.
LGBTQ youth have a high rate of suicide and attempted suicide than their cishet counterparts. The Trevor Project, which runs the LGBTQ youth suicide hotline that used to be linked on the Texas website, reported a 150% increase in calls from transgender youth in Texas since the state legislature started trying to pass laws attacking transgender youth this year.
Huffines has been pushing Abbott to the right on several issues, including LGBTQ rights. He asked Abbott to put a law to ban gender-affirming health care for transgender youth on the agenda for a special session of the state legislature this past summer.
Skittles
(153,174 posts)he's one fucked up piece of utter SHIT
Demovictory9
(32,468 posts)xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)Bet he gets re-elected!
calimary
(81,435 posts)xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)I got an education on voters. Don't trust them.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Roy Rolling
(6,928 posts)Whatever the mob wants, they act like puppets on a string.
Except for Abbotthe doesnt stand for anything. Its easy for him.
And before anyone gets offended, I use a wheelchair now for transportation. Im sick of him and tree-punching guy making us all look like Mr. Potter from the movie Its a Wonderful Life.
Fuck them and the wheels they rolled up on.
SergeStorms
(19,204 posts)of becoming a national joke if Abbott is re-elected, and republicans continue their free fall to the bottom of the humanitarian barrel.
"Texas republican" is very close to replacing "Florida man" as the country's go-to laughing stock of abject stupidity.
OldBaldy1701E
(5,144 posts)We need to remember to laugh at them at every opportunity. Don't let up. Point and laugh if you can, so that these complete loons will crawl back into their holes. (No offense to the bird.)
IHaveNoName
(95 posts)The bigger issue is that Abbott is allowing this because his opponent is EVEN WORSE on this issue, and doesn't want ANY state funds to go to LGBTQ rights or assistance. "These are not Texas values" is his rallying cry. So Abbott, who is already an asshole on the issue, has to get even MORE asshole-ish just to try to stay even further to the right of his incredibly asshole-ish opponent. It's a race to the bottom of the asshole barrel, and both of them are winning.
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)vercetti2021
(10,156 posts)Honestly I hope somebody doesn't "accidentally" wheels him down a flight of stairs.
SWBTATTReg
(22,156 posts)right to interfere w/ this ... how are they getting away w/ this?
Oneironaut
(5,522 posts)That would put you somewhere between Hitler and Darth Vader.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,487 posts)This is disgusting
Link to tweet
State agency removed online resources for LGBTQ youth after complaints from a Republican challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, emails show https://www.texastribune.org/2021/10/12/texas-lgbtq-resources-department-family-protective-services/
Texas child welfare agency removed a webpage that offered resources to LGBTQ youth following complaints by one of Republican Gov. Greg Abbotts GOP primary challengers, according to internal agency communications.
On Aug. 31, Republican former state Sen. Don Huffines released a video on Twitter claiming that DFPS is promoting transgender sexual policies to Texas youth through a webpage titled Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.
These are not Texas values, these are not Republican party values, but these are obviously Greg Abbotts values, thats why we need a change, thats what my campaigns about, Huffines said.
The Houston Chronicle first reported on the internal agency correspondence. According to communications obtained by The Texas Tribune, in the hours after Huffines video went up, DFPS employees discussed the possibility of removing the webpage or changing its content.
Huffines, a staunch conservative, is challenging Abbott from the right in next years GOP primary. Abbotts office has not responded to a request for comment on the matter. The governor has power to appoint the DFPS commissioner and the agencys nine-member council.
In an email to DFPS spokesperson Patrick Crimmins on Aug. 31, DFPS media specialist Marissa Gonzales wrote that Huffines video was starting to blow up on Twitter, linking to his video and the webpage in question. The page was populated with information from the Texas Youth Connection, a DFPS division that provides local and national resources to help youth transition into adulthood.