Resources for Transgender Youth in Texas

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As explained on our Legal Updates page, health care for transgender youth is still legal in Texas until September 1, 2023, and we are doing everything we can to preserve access to this evidence-based health care even after that date. 

In May 2023, the Texas Attorney General announced investigations into two hospitals that have provided care to transgender youth: Dell Children’s Medical Center and Texas Children’s Hospital. If you or someone you know has been a patient at these hospitals, you can help protect your private information by following these instructions and sending this letter to your medical provider. You may also contact the Lambda Legal Help Desk for more information.

If you or someone you know has had their access to health care interrupted because you are transgender, you may want to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As further explained on the Legal Updates page, we still have court orders blocking investigations into transgender youth and their families for medical care they receive by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. These court orders only apply to members of PFLAG, which you can join by clicking here. And if you or someone you know is contacted by DFPS about health care for transgender youth, you have a right to legal counsel and can contact the Lambda Legal Help Desk.

To request other legal assistance, please visit the ACLU of Texas or Lambda Legal websites.

If you are an attorney and would like to offer your services to represent families and others threatened with investigations, please fill out this form.  

Other Important Resources

  • DFPS investigation FAQ for Parents from the Transgender Education Network of Texas and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund.
  • Parent Resource Folder from the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), which includes tips about safe folders, a card your child can carry in case they’re approached by CPS alone, information about federal actions to support trans Texans, and more. You can reach out to TENT with other questions and needs you may have at [email protected]. 

Remember, if DFPS contacts you: 

  • Even if an intake specialist shows up at your door, you don't have to let them in and can schedule for a later date. This will give you time to get legal representation and ensure they’re in the initial call.
  • Immediately contact Lambda Legal for a referral to pro bono attorneys. 
  • Do not hand over your safe folder or sign any documents authorizing the release of private information or medical records. Do not talk about the healthcare your child is receiving. 
  • Make sure your child knows they do not have to speak to anyone from DFPS, even if they’re approached at school. 

Disclaimer: No part of this webpage constitutes legal advice. Please contact Lambda Legal, the ACLU of Texas, or other attorneys if you need legal counsel.

Mental Health Resources

The below list of resources was developed in September 2021 and some information may be subject to change. By providing the resources below, we cannot vouch for these programs and some crisis hotlines may contact 911 or first responders when required to under the law. With that said, we hope these resources are useful and that you can find the help that you need.

*NEW* Equality Texas Mental Health Toolkit: Access it here

LGBTQIA+ specific hotlines
General crisis hotlines
Other sites to visit for help

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LGBTQIA+ Organizations in Texas

Statewide
Abilene
Amarillo
Austin 
Beaumont
Boerne
Brownsville
Bryan/College Station
Corpus Christi
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Georgetown
Houston
Lubbock
McAllen
Rio Grande Valley
Odessa
San Angelo
San Antonio
Tyler
Waco
Wichita Falls

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