Morning! There are questions on AP U.S. History exams about the Stonewall riots, and if a school can’t or won’t teach it, they can lose AP accreditation. Texas should think twice before introducing a “don’t say gay” bill here.
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Ash Hall
@LGBTActivist
TXJoined December 2010
Ash Hall’s Tweets
Look at all the Texans who came out to support their trans neighbors. This is the Texas I know and love. It loves me, us, back.
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For what it’s worth, the bill was filed so late by an author so widely disliked by his colleagues that it’s extremely unlikely to even get a hearing, much less become law.
Raise your hand if you’re a Texan who’s tired of your state wasting time on attacking transgender Texans instead of working on real issues 🙋
Imagine being an Attorney General who has been accused of and indicted for fraud multiple times, and thinking your priority should be to write a threatening letter to a school district for planning to teach LGBTQ+ history for a week.
Y’all better vote in November, Texans. 🤦
I can’t remember the last time I felt scared the way I did today. It only ever surfaces like that when loved ones are in danger. I still feel really nauseated. The way my community was treated in the Capitol today, esp our community members of color, is not okay.
SB 14 delayed once again. The main thing I want say is that it takes an incredible amount of work to accomplish making a delay like this happen twice, and that work is the result of love for trans youth, their parents, and our community.
The fight, and the love, continues. 🏳️⚧️
I’m disgusted to be writing this, but Abbott just announced the new date for the next #txlege special session (9/20) and in addition to redistricting, has added the anti-transgender athletes bill to the agenda.
I hope Texans are ready to #protecttranskids one more time. 🏳️⚧️
At the rally for Trans Rights at the Texas Capitol. We will not be silent, we will be perceived, and we will be respected. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
No amount of bullying is going to stop me from fighting for LGBTQ+ community. If that means crying the entire time I testify, so be it. Better me than our kids.
Oh my god. HB 1399, the bill that would ban trans youth from receiving gender-affirming care, just passed out of the TX House Public Health Committee.
I’m in tears. They don’t care if our youth live or die. I am genuinely scared.
More than 450 people will not get to testify tonight against the anti-trans bill.
I hope I was able to adequately convey their righteous, love-based anger. Our lives aren’t up for debate, and - don’t you dare make decisions for us without hearing from us.
Apologies if my live tweeting is lagging a bit, I’m honestly crying my eyes out right now. This should never, ever have happened. I am so, so upset for our trans kids. They deserve the world.
Good morning, Texas. Today is a beautiful day to remind transgender youth that they are loved and cherished. That we support them on their journeys through gender. And that we will fight to make sure they have the same opportunities as their peers.
#ProtectTransKids #txlege
Spending the whole day at #txlege waiting to speak on how we should *not* censor schools or attack teachers. I just think schools should actually be allowed to function, you know?
One of the nicest candid shots anyone’s taken of me, and it was while I was walking to our advocacy day and thinking about community. The LGBTQ+ community. We are wonderful people. We’re resilient, creative, compassionate. We make this world more free just by being ourselves.
Just want to be clear that today is a brutal, heartrending day for transgender Texans. This hearing over our youth and their supportive parents has been deeply painful. Please tell the trans people in your life that you love them and fight for them. #ProtectTransKids
After his primary challenger pointed out that a state agency had resources for LGBTQ youth who might be suicidal, rushed to remove the website and rob kids in crisis of valuable, life-saving resources. All to score political points. #AbbottHatesKids #txlege
This choked me up. So many people are here at the Capitol today for our trans youth. The loving heart of Texas is beating before my eyes.
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Replying to @evan_sruthan
Indigenous dancers are holding space in the outdoor rotunda in support of trans youth #txlege
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Saying it again- if you are a mandatory reporter in Texas, you DO NOT have to report trans kids or their parents to anyone. The AG opinion is not law and the letter from the Governor is not law. Stand with families who need you. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
New in my inbox: Abbott just signed HB 25, the anti-transgender athletes bill, into law. Effective Jan 18, 2022.
Two things:
1) Trans youth, you are loved and cherished and we’ll keep fighting for a world you deserve;
2) It’s time to end some political careers.
Final speeches against SB 14 have begun. Got a feeling we’re all going to be crying by the time the vote happens.
Thank you to every single representative, senator, staffer, lawyer, activist, ally and trans Texan who has fought this bill. Thank you so, so much. This isn’t over.
I’m so deeply tired. They’re really coming after us, it’s like watching a tidal wave approach. But more than anything, I feel a deep love for my fellow trans Texans and the people who love us. That love is why I feel rage and pain, and it’s what moves me to act.
Incredible news. Today, on transgender icon Monica Roberts’ birthday, the anti-trans athletes bill SB 29 did not receive the votes it needed to pass the #txlege House Public Education Committee. The bill is dead.
Happy birthday, Monica. And congrats to all who fought for this.
I was today years old when I learned that the TX Capitol furniture is the product of prison labor.
We’ve been here about 10 hours testifying in #txlege against the anti-trans athletes bill. The overwhelming majority of people testifying did so against the bill. Cis girls, trans kids, parents, activists, athletes. Texas wants us to #ProtectTransKids. The lege needs to listen.
Closest I’ve been to , and it’s firing me right up. Welcome back to Texas, Congresswoman, and thank you for supporting Texas progressives!
No matter what happens today, we will take care of each other, we will continue to exist, and we will continue to fight for a world where trans youth can thrive.
FYI #txlege the results of today’s hearing on anti-trans 🏳️⚧️ SB 3 are:
-10 in favor
-2 neutral
-89 opposed
That’s about 9:1 against the bill. Texans support trans youth and want the adults in the room to #ProtectTransKids 🔥💜🏳️⚧️
Been looking forward to sharing this. The fight isn't over. We love trans youth and will fight for a world where all our youth can thrive.
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BREAKING: We’ll take Gov. Abbott to court if he signs #SB14 into law, banning health care for trans youth.
Similar unconstitutional bills have been challenged and stopped in other states.
We, @ACLU, @LambdaLegal & @TransLawCenter are ready to protect trans kids in Texas, too.
I won't ever forget the night when Beto showed up in Austin to testify against the voter suppression bill, learned about the anti-trans🏳️⚧️bill being heard in the same hearing, and went ahead and testified against that too.
It's time for trustworthy, compassionate government.
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I’m running for governor.
Together, we can push past the small and divisive politics that we see in Texas today — and get back to the big, bold vision that used to define Texas. A Texas big enough for all of us.
Join us: bit.ly/30mq3KP
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Seeing as how parts of Austin are without power because it was raining, this feels like a good time to remind everyone that Gov Abbott didn’t allow the electrical grid to be a legislative priority, and made $1M protecting oil/gas executives from accountability around the freeze.
Happening now: and are projecting the testimonies of trans 🏳️⚧️ youth, their parents, and their friends on a building next to ’s mansion.
Please call, email, tag, etc. Gov. Abbott and tell him to veto HB 25 and #ProtectTransKids.
I can’t promise it’ll help but I refuse to let this pass without being able to say we truly did everything we could.
And tell the trans people in your life that you love them.
The Texas Capitol is about to be so very 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 and I cannot wait for everyone to see.
This will probably be the most festive and kind the pink dome is all session, and I hope that energy stays in the building for a while. #txlege
Fascinated by all the progressive Texan posts requesting followers.
So. I’m Ash. A queer policy advocate that’s helped kill 80+ anti-LGBTQ bills. I routinely undermine Gov. Abbott.
If your pals follow me I’ll make sure they stay updated on the lege and how to fight back. 🔥
Today the anti-trans student athlete bill goes into effect in Texas- one that took the lege 4 tries to pass because so many Texans oppose it. We will continue to fight for trans kids to live in a world worthy of them, and we will continue to show them love every single day.
Emotion starting to set in for me. Many Dem state reps I’ve gotten to know over the years are stepping up and doing their best to fight for trans kids right now.
I hate that we’re at this point, and - I’m moved by the intensity of the fight for our kids.
I am actually crying. Thank you and . And thank you to my family, friends, mentors, and allies for allowing me to continue this work for our communities. We will keep fighting.
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HR 268: Commending Ash Hall for working in behalf of the LGBTQIA+ communities of Texas. capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/His #txlege
Testifying against voter suppression bills and anti-bail reform bills at #txlege today. The fact that we all have to spend our weekend fighting for basic rights instead of going about our lives with an improved electrical grid speaks to how badly Texas needs new leadership.
The same folks screeching over Lia Thomas were nothing but impressed when Michael Phelps was found to -actually- have a physiological advantage over his competition. And that is called transphobia. 🌈
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I should also add- this applies to the bans on factual information about our nation’s role in slavery and anti-Blackness (what folks are calling CRT but is actually just U.S. History).
(I’m never gonna get used to this and also yes please join the fight!)
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Texas politicians have no right taking away our freedom to make life-saving healthcare decisions with our family and doctors — whether we’re trans or not.
We won’t let them. Join the fight at aclutx.org/volunteer
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Breaking: refusing to acknowledge that transgender people exist does not in fact make us disappear! 🙃🏳️⚧️ #txlege
Got to speak at the Women’s March at the TX Capitol from my perspective as trans/non-binary Texan. Our community needs abortion access too. Thank you to the women and girls who offered love and support! #womensmarchatx twitter.com/judahistweetin
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Attended the protest in Austin with family and friends in light of the leaked SCOTUS opinion on Roe. We have seen what happens when we remove access to safe abortion, and we are not going back.
Awesome march for LGBTQ+ rights, followed by a rally and resource fair! Just what my heart needed. This is our Texas too, we will not be silent, and we will take care of each other. 🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈
Shoutout to for a wonderful event!
Been eagerly awaiting this day. We’ve always been here and no law can change who we are. We won’t back down until transgender people can live safe, happy, healthy lives with our families in Texas, our home.
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BREAKING: We’re suing Texas on behalf of families and health professionals to stop state officials from banning life-saving medical care for trans youth.
Enough is enough. Children deserve better than bullying masquerading as policy.
Today, instead of focusing on preventing & responding to school shootings, #txlege is focusing on making out transgender children to be the -real- threat to their schoolmates.
Quite a choice given that the passage of anti-trans bills puts the lives of transgender kids in danger.
If you consider yourself an ally to the LGBTQ community and you aren’t fighting back against all the homophobic/transphobic rhetoric being lobbed at us, you haven’t earned your spot at our Pride celebrations yet. You want the glitter? Take out the litter.
As expected, the committee passed both anti-trans athletes bills out the moment testimony ended. At least with the House Dems breaking quorum for the foreseeable future, they’ll only pass the Senate.
Shame on the legislators who picked primary votes over the lives of children.
Anti-transgender SB 29 postponed until 11:30!!!! This is great news!! The bill has to pass before midnight or else it’s dead. Our folks can easily chat for 30 mins. Keep rooting for our allies on the floor!! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
There’s a reason that Texans who love their transgender neighbors, friends, family members, or selves are breaking down in tears at this SB 15 (trans sports ban) hearing. This bill is part of the broader attack on our lives, by people who believe we're expendable.
Not surprised he would sign the healthcare ban on a Friday, the worst day to break news. He knows messing with trans kids is wrong.
We’ll see you in court, Abbott.
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BREAKING: Gov. Abbott has signed #SB14 into law, banning life-saving health care for trans youth.
Abbott can’t stop trans youth from thriving in Texas — and we’ll take him to court to make sure of it.
This is one of the worst things I’ve sat through in my 10 years of lege advocacy. It is uniquely horrifying to watch someone vindictively, hatefully use your community’s children as a means to punish others.
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ICYMI: @RepHaroldDutton admits that
he isn't informed of issues trans youth currently face
he brought up #SB29 in retailiation for his bad public ed bill yesterday
#SB29 is a dangerous attack on trans youth.
@TransTexas @EqualityTexas
he isn't informed of issues trans youth currently face
he brought up #SB29 in retailiation for his bad public ed bill yesterday
#SB29 is a dangerous attack on trans youth.
@TransTexas @EqualityTexas
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Happy Sine Die. Worst session I’ve experienced is finally, finally over. This will probably be the first year I don’t go to the party - don’t have the energy to look for a ticket.
We sure did survive though. 🌈
Stoked about my new role with @blueactiondems! Texans, our school boards have become battlegrounds where extremists are attacking teachers, librarians, and marginalized students. It’s time to organize and get the school boards we deserve. ⚡️
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Please welcome @LGBTActivist as our new School Board Organizing Director!!
Ash is committed to reaching justice for all marginalized communities & changing cultural norms in favor of compassion and equity.
We are excited for them to lead the fight to protect our school boards!
This is what I mean when I say that the outrage over young transgender Texans is manufactured by adults. Cisgender youth are overwhelmingly supportive of their trans peers. The adults need to learn from the compassion of their own kids. #txlege
Tonight, we cry, we breathe, we lean on each other. Tomorrow, we march at noon, power up together, and continue to fight for our children. #ProtectTransKids
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BREAKING: A Texas House committee has voted to advance legislation that would ban essential healthcare for transgender youth.
As trans people and allies have said over and over again: This healthcare saves lives — taking it away is cruel, dangerous, and unlawful.
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“Look, guys, *everything* should suck, not just *one* thing.”
SB 14 is up. I’ll say it bluntly. Sen. Campbell has no idea what she’s talking about. She doesn’t know transgender people, nor care to know us. Anyone who questions whether the mental health struggles we face due to discrimination are real shouldn’t be legislating our lives.
Testified for the 3rd or so time for ’s bill to ban the ‘gay/trans panic’ defense tonight. Each session, I tell the story of my friend Marco and how his killer tried to justify murdering him based on his sexual orientation.
It’s been 10 years. I miss my friend.
This is the kind of action that makes our youth take their own lives. This rips families apart and increases bullying and hate crimes.
You don’t have to report shit, friends. Stand with transgender Texans and let the world know you won’t participate in deadly witch hunts.
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Greg Abbot has officially directed Family and Protective Services to begin investigating all trans children in Texas and prosecuting their parents as child abusers.
He has also instructed all teachers, doctors, and caregivers to begin reporting any trans students they see.
More TX Democratic Convention vibes:
Me: Running for SDEC, not a big deal, honestly hesitated to do so, here to help.
SD 14: Gives me a standing ovation, hugs, love, immediate voice vote election.
Me: *cries like a newborn baby*
Straight from TX Medical Association: We have patients with gender dysphoria, it is real, the healthcare allowing them to transition improves and saves their lives, and their voices matter in this conversation.
You can absolutely live by the mantra “hope is a discipline” and still feel heartbroken and awful. Doesn’t mean you’re doing a disservice to the community.
I’m feeling it today and wanted to make sure others feeling the same get this reassurance.
(Now please send animal pics)
It’s been a real surreal night. Thanks to all of you for making my work and life possible. 💜
This. Solidarity. @BhojaniForTexas and I believe in a Texas that’s safe and welcoming for Muslim Texans and transgender Texans. And we’re far from alone.
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Today I joined hundreds of Texans to fight for the rights of trans kids across the state.
HB 1686 sets a dangerous precedent for the healthcare of Texas children.
The Legislature should focus on solving the problems Texans actually face instead of bullying trans kids. #txlege
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Your lack of solidarity with us 🏳️⚧️ and others facing marginalization is nauseating. Your own participation in women’s sports reveals your “rights for me, none for thee” ethos, but sharing an ethos with a political group doesn’t guarantee you’ll be spared from that group’s wrath.
Happy #TransDayOfVisibility from your nonbinary trans pal. I spent so much of today basking in trans joy and the light we bring to the world. I love my community so much.
Anyone wanna come to the Capitol and keep me + my friends company? The debate is getting ugly and it’s getting harder to sit through. I could use more hugs.
Turns out that really bad reaction I had to the booster? Was because my body was already fighting omicron. I was too late.
Get your booster ASAP if you haven’t. Covid is not fun. Don’t ease up on your protective measures either.
When your besties/colleagues throw you a birthday party in the Capitol building 🥰
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Happy birthday to the incomparable @LGBTActivist!!!
We are so lucky that you are around and in our lives!! 
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Just. We could’ve actually done something about the power grid. Or expanded access to healthcare so we lose less people to the delta variant of covid. But what do we get? Another bill attacking transgender kids for wanting to play sports. What the actual hell. #txlege
Today’s testimony was overwhelmingly against these bills because Texas loves drag. It’s time for the legislature to stop pretending that the H*ritage F*undation knows anything about the average Texan, and stop attacking our culture, community spaces, and healthcare.
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Replying to @TCDP
Now up is @LGBTActivist, the other Co-chair of TCDP’s Policy & Legislation Committee. In their testimony, Ash made it very clear: these bills promote discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ Texans. #txlege
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Aaaand since folks keep mentioning the K-3rd grade bit- I seriously doubt my state will limit it to that. I expect more legislation like what’s been introduced in Ohio.
Also- we should be allowed to learn LGBTQ History in K-3rd, just like we do for Black & Womens History Month.
It took many months and a lot of strategizing and patience, but I finally procured one of the Buda foam wiener dogs today in the Capitol. 😌
Just making me cry. 💜 Thank you. It’s the “ur day will come” that moves me most, because I do believe that our day, trans Texans’ day, will come. We will make it so.
And if you fought alongside me at the Capitol, consider this award split between us. Onward! 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
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SPEAKING TRUTH 2 POWER. NOT BACKING DOWN. GIVING VOICE 2 VOICELESS. @LGBTActivist WINS THA PRESTIGIOUS BEST ADVOCATE #SEVVIE AWARD. UNDER DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY PUT UP A FIGHT LIKE WE NEVER SEEN B4. IT 
MADEADIFFERENCE. UR DAY WILL COME. BULLIES BEWARE. 
#TXLEGE
MADEADIFFERENCE. UR DAY WILL COME. BULLIES BEWARE. #TXLEGE
Testified against HB 28, the critical race theory ban. I felt it was important for other white ppl to hear that CRT isn’t scary or anti-white. For whites folks, it’s a chance to learn how we as a people and nation have failed, our current legacy, so that we might do + be better.
Welp. Just pulled an all-nighter getting block walk materials ready for today’s volunteers. 😴 Getting folks to the polls to vote for a kinder Texas is worth it though (also I am sleeping all day next Wednesday, do not perceive me that day).
“They are governing with hate, while we are out here organizing with love.” -
Another day full of hearings where Texans overwhelmingly registered against anti-LGBTQ+ bills, in favor of pro-LGBTQ+ bills, and against racist/xenophobic bills.
(If you were one of those Texans, thank you)
There seems to be this perception on here that because I do lege advocacy, I’m supposed to keep my account open to whatever bigot wants to harass me or QRT me with added hate speech.
Here’s the thing: no. 🙂
I protect my peace and block whoever I want. 🌈
One of the saddest things about the anti-trans 🏳️⚧️ athlete bills is that it creates this narrative that there’s some kind of war to be had between cis and trans women. As if they can’t be teammates, best friends, rivals, girlfriends, sisters. As if they aren’t already. #txlege
We’re in the gallery holding our breaths and cheering on our allies. And I would like to point out how fitting it is that it’s my Rep. who is bringing us home to midnight with no SB 29 right now. 🏳️⚧️🌈👏
If I sounded angry tonight, it’s because I am. When I read off LGBTQ+ youth mental health statistics to an apathetic committee, I don’t see numbers. I see faces. Remembering the pain my young friends have experienced bc of our legislature infuriates me, because I love them.
Had a beautiful, typical Austin night wandering around my neighborhood:
-got invited by a random young couple to join them in checking out a house for sale with their realtor (and indeed joined)
-listened to a (good!) live band playing in someone’s backyard
-played with fireflies
In our neighbor state, legislators in both parties decided to trust doctors, trans people, and parents of trans kids. What a concept…
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BREAKING: Senators have chosen to protect Louisiana’s transgender children and rejected HB648! This harmful bill will NOT advance to the Senate floor. This is a POWERFUL WIN for transgender kids and their families! #lalege
In the end, it’s about the kids. No child deserves to be told they don’t belong, that they should not exist. Trans 🏳️⚧️ kids deserve the world, and we will continue to fight for a world and a #txlege *worthy of them.* #ProtectTransKids
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Thanks for making me cry . It’s been a really hard day in Texas. Wish I could pet you and Jean.
Waiting to see how the point of order goes on HB 20 and knowing that tons of people feel the same cautious hope and deep anxiety my community has felt whenever points were called on SB 14.
Solidarity. No one deserves to be targeted like this.
There's a full-on assault against LGBTQ+ youth, especially transgender youth, across our nation. Solidarity with my Florida siblings who are #NotAfraidToSayGay, especially those being suspended for speaking out.🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
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I may have been suspended, but I will not be silenced. I am proud of who I am, and I am #notafraidtosaygay.
Every single one of my friends who faced the worst of the abuse today was a person of color. So you can “stop dragging” yourself into my comments and get a life, Olivia.