The Texas Republican Party adopted a new platform Saturday that refers to homosexuality as “abnormal” and “opposes all efforts to validate transgender identity.”
The Texas GOP party adopted the 40 page deck at its biennial convention in Houston after approving the party’s new guiding principles, which include a section titled “Questions of Homosexuality and Gender.”
The section includes a formal position stating that the state Republican Party is against granting special legal status to gay men and women and supports those who oppose homosexuality on the basis of faith, religion, or belief in “traditional values”.
“Homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice,” the platform document says. “We believe that no special legal rights should be granted or special status created for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin.”
The section also opposes the use of public funds for gay, transgender, or diversity and equity inclusion centers, as well as gender-affirming care, while supporting controversial counseling methods aimed at “converting” members of the community. LGBTQ. Texas does not have a law that prohibits conversion therapy.
A wave of anti-LGBTQ bills has swamped red states this year, with Republican majorities specifically targeting the transgender community.
Texas has passed laws that prohibit the participation of transgender youth in sports and prohibit discussion of sexual orientation or transgender identity in public schools. The Movement Advancement Project gives Texas a low rating for LGBTQ rights.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) sparked a backlash earlier this year when he ordered state officials to investigate parents of transgender children who allow their children to undergo gender-affirming care, which state attorney general Ken Paxton called it “child abuse.”
The directive is still being challenged in court after a judge recently halted investigations.
In the Texas Republican Party At Saturday’s convention, Sen. Ted Cruz opposed what he called the left’s “awakening” agenda and spoke about Disney’s new “Lightyear” movie, about the popular character Buzz Lightyear from the “Toy Story” franchise. , because one scene includes a same-sex couple kissing.
“Like, just leave the kids alone,” Cruz said. “Consenting adults can do whatever they want, but this cultural assault is being driven by radical leftists who want to bring America down.”
The party’s new platform was adopted during Pride Month, a time when the LGBTQ community and supporters of the movement come together and hold events in support.
The community has been on edge over the holidays this month after 31 members of the Patriot Front, a Texas-based far-right white supremacist organization, were arrested earlier this month in Idaho for conspiring to riot at a Patriots event. Pride.
President Biden last week signed an executive order designed to protect the LGBTQ community from conservative state laws that impede access to health care resources and from laws that ban discussion of gender identity in schools.
“My message to all young people: be yourself. You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You do belong,” Biden said at the signing ceremony. “All of us on this stage have your back.”
Reference-thehill.com