A tearful mum has begged Texas lawmakers not to adopt a bill that could criminalise parents supporting their trans children.
Under Texas Senate Bill 1646, parents could be labeled 'child abusers', have their kids taken away from them or even serve time behind bars, according to LGBTQ Nation.
Advert
If the bill passes, it would be a crime if a parent was found to be 'consenting to or assisting in the administering or supplying of, a puberty suppression prescription drug or cross-sex hormone to a child, other than an intersex child, for the purpose of gender transitioning or gender reassignment'.
It would also be a crime if they're caught 'performing or consenting to the performance of surgery or another medical procedure on a child, other than an intersex child, for the purpose of gender transitioning or gender reassignment'.
But one mum has given a submission to politicians on why this piece of legislation shouldn't be approved.
Amber Briggle held back tears as she told the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs how affirming her child's transition process has been life saving.
Advert
"I'm terrified to be here today. I'm afraid that by speaking here today that my words will be used against me should S.B. 1646 or S.B. 1311 pass, and my sweet son whom I love more than life itself will be taken from me," she said.
"When my son was four-years-old, he asked me if scientists could turn him into a boy. I only knew that he wasn't like most girls his age and that something inside him was hurting.
"Today, my son is 13-years-old, the most popular boy in seventh grade, and loved by our friends, family, our church, and our community. This is possible because he has parents who affirm him and provide him with the support he needs."
Advert
"Taking that support away from him, or worse, taking him away from his family because we broke the law to provide that support - will have devastating and heartbreaking consequences," she said, fighting through tears.
"If this bill becomes law, that, senators, is child abuse. And I promise I will call every single one of you every time a transgender child dies from suicide to remind you that their lives could have been saved, but you chose not to."
The bill has been slammed by medical experts who say transition affirmation by parents or guardians can be instrumental in helping a child's mental health.
In America, there has been a record number of anti-trans bills introduced across the country the year.
Advert
Back in mid-March, the three pieces of proposed legislation were filed in a single week during the state legislative session, which pushed the number passed last year's record total of 79 bills.
They include things like banning trans athletes from sport and denying transgender people medical care.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube