Throughout the election, KERA has been speaking with voters across North Texas about the biggest issues on their minds as they plan to vote.
Voters who are part of the LGBTQ+ community said access to gender-affirming care and abortion for minors were top issues.
Both are effectively banned in Texas. More than a dozen states, including Texas, make abortion illegal in almost all cases.
About 24 states, including Texas, ban gender-affirming care for people under 18. State Attorney General Ken Paxton recently sued a North Texas doctor for allegedly providing hormone therapy to minors after the state’s ban went into effect on September 1, 2023.
Many major health organizations support age-appropriate gender therapy for minors as a way to treat gender dysphoria. The Endocrine Society generally recommends hormone therapy after minors are able to provide informed consent for treatment, usually around age 16.
But opponents dispute research on the effectiveness of treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, arguing that children are too young to make life-altering decisions about their bodies.
Abortion and transgender rights are key issues in this year’s elections at both the state and federal level. Here’s what some North Texas voters are saying.
Mariana Teran, Fort Worth
“Feeling like I don’t have control over my body is probably what worries me the most. Not just abortion in general, but health-wise, what happens if I end up needing an abortion? That’s definitely something I worry about. That’s what I’m always thinking about.”
Kate Kaliboda, Mansfield
Kate Kaliboda said she’s concerned about the outlook on issues like abortion and marriage equality, as well as how both parties have handled discussions about the LGBTQ community. “I think we need to dig into the humanity of this issue, rather than creating a situation where we’re ostracizing them and saying they’re flawed as human beings,” she said. “For me, I think (my top priorities are) a lot of the same issues that other people are concerned about: the cost of housing, the cost of groceries, of course the economy, and a little understanding of the different presidential candidates. I’m very interested in economic planning and what it’s going to do in the short, medium and long term in terms of national debt and taxes, but I’m also very interested in what the policies of the political parties are going to be. I’m interested in And each candidate’s policies are going to impact our individual liberties as Americans and certain aspects of abortion and a woman’s right to choose, and for me, the recent overturning of Roe. I am concerned that the Supreme Court’s decision is very important. Against Wade, it may be a precursor issue of sorts. ”
Jillian Moran, Fort Worth
Jillian Moran said she’s concerned about the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the recent Texas Department of Public Safety policy change that prohibits changing the gender on a driver’s license. “The thing that concerns me the most right now, because I’m a transgender woman, is the issue of transgender rights and all the lies that are being told about children. But at the same time, these become the same story. They’re starting to use it on adults as well and trying to ban it from care for everyone, not just children. No one sends their child to school and comes back with a transgender or transsexual child. ”…
“You know what I want? I want abortion rights back on the ballot. I want to go to Austin and I don’t have to worry about not being able to change my driver’s license. No, I just want you to leave us alone.”
Justin Galloway, Arlington
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Justin Galloway
Justin Galloway said he does not support puberty blockers or gender reassignment surgery for transgender youth. The issue led him to change political affiliations over the years. “As a gay man, LGBT issues, especially gender ideology, are important to me. I’ve been very liberal on this issue for about 20 years, but now I tend to be a little more conservative. The tide is changing in a way. I feel a little opposed to some places that are geared toward kids and where I feel the far left is addressing gender ideology, child transition, adolescent blockers, and the treatment of high school sports. It became.”
Kylie Broussard is KERA’s health reporter. Any tips? Email Kailey at kbroussard@kera.org.
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