They Hate Us: The mental impact of anti-LGBTQ laws
Imagine closing your eyes at night knowing that your family is safe, your marriage is recognized, and your children can openly talk about their two dads in school without fear. The family photos on your desk at work are symbols of pride and joy—representations of the life you've built with love and resilience. You drift off to sleep believing, at least for a moment, that you are seen, valued, and protected by the laws of the land.
But by dawn, everything changes. Overnight, new legislation strips away the recognition of your marriage, making the legal bonds that held your family together feel tenuous. You drive to work, but a creeping anxiety follows you. What if the neighbor who saw your children playing outside reports you for 'promoting' your family structure at the local school? What if that photo of you and your partner at your desk suddenly becomes evidence of a 'violation' under a new law, prompting someone to file a complaint? What if your child is singled out in class because they tried to explain that they have two dads, only to be told that their family can no longer be discussed at school?
When anti-LGBTQ laws are considered and passed, fear isn't just an emotion felt once by LGBTQ Texans… it becomes a way of life. LGBTQ people have to carefully consider every conversation they have with coworkers, neighbors, and even their child’s teacher— our LGBTQ friends and neighbors have to worry that anything they say or do might result in punishment or scrutiny. They may avoid bringing certain books home from the library because they contain characters that are actually similar to themselves and their families, characters who are LGBTQ+, whose very existence is now considered dangerous or inappropriate for the public.
Considering every action is no longer a matter of living authentically; it becomes a matter of survival.
The reality of living in a place that doesn't want you to exist as your full self—or worse, doesn’t want you to exist at all—can be terrifying for our LGBTQ neighbors. It's a slow erosion of their humanity, a daily assault on their sense of self-worth. The psychological impact of anti-LGBTQ laws is not just a legal issue; it is an emotional and mental one, manifesting as a deep sense of insecurity and fear that can be life-threatening.
But even in the face of this horror, there is resilience. There are movements growing across Texas to wake people up to the reality of these laws, to fight back with love, hope, and justice. Wake Up Texas is one of these movements—a voice that refuses to be silenced. Join the Facebook Group to receive regular updates from us so you can be part of making Texas a safe place for all Texans!
