A lawsuit filed by LGBTQ groups in Florida seeks to strike down the law there. “While politicians use hate speech that is far from center to harm our vulnerable youth, we will continue to love our children and make sure that all families are uplifted in public life.”Ĭritics say that the Florida measure’s intent is to stifle and marginalize LGBTQ people and their families. What is scary is that political activists are grasping at power by overstepping into the lives of Texas families and education of students,” Benavidez said. “Gender expression by children is not something that is scary or harmful.

Val Benavidez, executive director of the Texas Freedom Network, said in a statement to The Texas Tribune that Patrick’s promise to bring similar legislation to the state is a “stain on Texas.”