Texas House Advances Bills Impacting LGBTQ+ Rights, Transgender Health Coverage

Texas legislators are advancing several contentious bills affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including efforts to repeal a long-standing law criminalizing "homosexual conduct" and the passage of gender-affirming health care regulations. House Bill 1738 seeks to remove the outdated criminalization of same-sex sexual activity, a measure critics say remains a risk for misuse despite being unenforced for decades. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1257, now headed to Governor Greg Abbott, requires insurance plans that cover gender transition procedures to also cover adverse effects and reversals, a provision opponents argue could lead to increased costs or denial of coverage for transgender care. Equality Texas and other advocacy groups have protested related bills such as House Bill 229, which would restrict government recognition of gender identity to birth sex only, and House Bill 778, which similarly imposes stringent insurance liabilities for gender transition care. Supporters of these bills frame them as necessary protections and clarifications of sex and insurance responsibilities, while opponents warn they infringe on transgender rights and access to medical care. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Texas over LGBTQ+ rights amid a legislative session approaching its end.