Transgender Advocacy Group Disavows Involvement in Texas Mailers

A transgender advocacy organization has denied any role in distributing mailers sent to Texas families, which provide guidance for transgender youth. These materials were reportedly shared by multiple social media users who claimed to have received them. The mailer cites the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), although the organization has distanced itself from the leaflets, leaving the producers and distributors anonymous.

Details of the Leaflet

The leaflet offers advice for transgender youth, including assistance for those with unsupportive families, and information on legal emancipation to gain adult rights. Additionally, it provides resources for seeking care outside of Texas.

“You don’t need to have everything figured out,” read part of the mailer. “You don’t have to know if you’re definitely trans. You don’t have to decide about hormones or surgery right now. You don’t have to convince your parents.”

“Your job right now is to stay safe, find people who will listen to you, and give yourself time to figure out who you are,” the mailer continued. “There are other kids in Texas going through this too, and there are adults whose job is to help you. Even if your family doesn’t accept you, groups like these are ready to become your found family.”

Sara Gonzales, host of the Sara Gonzales Unfiltered podcast, shared a photo of the envelope on social media, stating the sender was the “Texas Transgender Student Union” from Meadows Place, Texas. Gonzales wrote, “This was sent to my home, addressed to the ‘students’ of our family from the ‘Texas Transgender Student Union.'”

The cost of sending the mailer to every household in Texas could range from $3 million to $4.4 million, as reported by the Concho Observer. It highlighted that TENT does not have the financial means to undertake such a statewide mailing and noted there is no known group called the “Texas Transgender Student Union.”

TENT’s Stand on the Matter

TENT released a statement clarifying their lack of involvement with the mailers. “We are aware of mailers and brochures circulating with branding similar to ours. TENT did not create or distribute these materials,” the statement said. “They are impersonations and not affiliated with us.”

TENT emphasized their unwavering support for trans youth and residents of Texas, despite these incidents, stating, “Trans Texans belong here in Texas. This is our home, and we’re not going anywhere.” As of Tuesday, their website contained only this statement regarding the mailers.

Newsweek contacted TENT for additional comments via social media.

Mailed Materials Follow Enigmatic Texts

Before the mailers, a text-message campaign surfaced, promoting TENT’s resources. The messages linked to TENT materials regarding school policies and gender-affirming care, though TENT denied involvement. They issued cease-and-desist notices to messaging companies to stop the texts and identify the responsible client.

Texas State Representative Jeff Leach requested Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate these communications and discern how recipients’ contact information was acquired. The timing of these events preceded early voting in Texas.

For further information, contact Newsweek editors Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang.