Texas lawmakers are taking their obsession with targeting trans people to a terrifying new level. A newly proposed bill, filed by Republican Rep. Tom Oliverson, would criminalize identifying as transgender—yes, you read that correctly. The bill introduces the concept of “gender identity fraud,” making it a state jail felony to provide documentation or statements that don’t align with one’s sex assigned at birth. If passed, trans Texans could face up to two years behind bars and a $10,000 fine simply for existing as their authentic selves.
Even in a state notorious for its anti-trans legislation, this bill stands out for its sheer cruelty. While its chances of passing remain slim—no co-sponsors have signed on so far—the very fact that it’s on the table signals how extreme the GOP’s war on trans people has become. Texas has been setting the bar for discriminatory laws for years, from attempted bathroom bans to targeting parents of trans kids with child abuse investigations. Now, it’s aiming straight at the heart of trans existence itself.
Oliverson’s bill is just the latest in a broader attack on gender-affirming care and trans rights in Texas. Another Republican legislator, Rep. Brent Money, recently proposed a bill that would ban medical professionals from providing transition-related care to anyone, not just minors. It’s essentially a rewrite of Texas’ existing ban on care for trans youth—only now targeting adults as well. The message is clear: Texas Republicans aren’t interested in “protecting children”; they want to erase trans people altogether.
Of course, major medical associations—including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association—overwhelmingly support gender-affirming care as a life-saving necessity. Research consistently shows that trans people who receive this care experience better mental health outcomes. But facts rarely stand in the way of Texas politicians pushing their anti-LGBTQ agenda.
Texas lawmakers have already introduced nearly 170 anti-LGBTQ bills this year, and the state continues to be a testing ground for extremist policies aimed at stripping trans people of their basic rights. It’s a disturbing trend, one that trans Texans are forced to navigate daily while simply trying to live their lives. The fight isn’t just about policy—it’s about survival.
So, what’s next? If Texas succeeds in criminalizing trans identity, how long before other states follow suit? The writing is on the wall, and it’s up to the LGBTQ community and allies nationwide to fight back. Because today it’s Texas—tomorrow, it could be anywhere.