We love our children unconditionally and will support them and fight for them until our last breath. However, 8 weeks ago our Governor issued a letter classifying our affirming and loving care of our Transgender daughter as child abuse and directed all mandated reporters to inform on us and other parents like us and demanded that DFPS investigate us as abusers. In doing so, he has ignored the expertise of every leading medical association who all agree that gender-affirming care is life-saving care and he kicked off a witch hunt here in Texas for families like ours.

You see we know that when transgender youth receive affirming care they are 60% less likely to experience depression and 73% less likely to commit suicide. We know that when our child was allowed to be her authentic self she began to thrive and is already making this world a better, more compassionate place.

Families like ours no longer feel safe in our own homes, we lay awake at night paralyzed not knowing whether we should flee Texas or stay and fight for our constitutional rights. The Governors letter has already had very real and dire consequences for trans youth and their families as medical clinics have shut down and practitioners of gender affirming medicine have been intimidated from continuing to provide that care. Families are in crisis as we navigate the fallout which for some includes the cost of having to seek out medical care out of state, legal fees, and sadly having to seek out a safe haven and move to a new state with protections for trans youth and their families.

We believe and experience everyday a vibrant Texas community which not only values diversity but recognizes that when folks are able to be accepted as their authentic selves they make our world a brighter place. It is in that spirit that we hope you will sign on to support our effort to raise funds for a Relief Fund to be held at the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) to support families like ours and their emergent needs. We are planning a fundraiser on May 28th, 2022 at Axelrad in Houston, Texas. In addition to the in-kind venue we have already lined up some fabulous entertainers including The Free Radicals, Babes in Betoland & The Moment.

Please let us know if you have interest in becoming an underwriter of the event, sponsoring, or simply attending to show your support. Attached is a sponsorship form for your consideration.

With deepest appreciation,

Lisa and Jeffrey Stanton

To help sponsor this event visit: https://secure.everyaction.com/0nMLMGoTkEykM-VNTIbFGg2

Show up & out for Trans Youth in TX