Texas households are reporting unsolicited mail addressed to students that provides information about unsupportive parents, legal emancipation and seeking “transgender”-related medical care outside Texas.
The mailings follow a separate text-message campaign that promoted resources from the “Transgender” Education Network of Texas, or TENT, an advocacy organization that denies authorizing either campaign.
Commentator Sara Gonzales reported receiving one of the envelopes at her home and posted photographs of the envelope and enclosed student resource guide on X.
“This was sent to my home. Addressed to the ‘students’ of our family from the ‘Texas Transgender Student Union.’ It coaches minors on what to do if their parents are not supportive of their ‘trans’ identity and walks them through getting emancipated,” Gonzales posted.
What the mailer tells students
The envelope identifies the sender as the Texas “Transgender” Student Union and addresses the mailing to students in the recipient’s family. Gonzales’ photograph shows black markings covering the recipient’s identifying information.
The enclosed guide directs students whose parents do not support them to adults such as teachers, counselors, relatives and youth organization staff. It also lists TENT, OutYouth, Montrose Center/Hatch and Resource Center Dallas as places to seek support.
A separate section discusses legal emancipation and links to TexasLawHelp for information about the process. Another addresses hormones and related medical care, advising students to contact an organization rather than obtain medication on their own.
The brochure also addresses seeking care outside Texas. It tells students under 18 that parental consent, custody and the laws of both states can matter, and advises them to consult a legal organization before trying to arrange such care.
“Even if your family doesn’t accept you as you are, groups like these are ready to become your found family,” the guide states.
The identity of the organization or individual responsible for producing and distributing the mailers remains unclear. References to established advocacy organizations do not establish that those organizations authorized or mailed the material.
The mailings emerged before early voting began Monday in Texas for the November 3 general election. In-person early voting runs through October 30, according to the Texas secretary of state’s calendar.
Texts prompted call for investigation
State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-District 67) called on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on October 13 to investigate organizations and individuals he alleged were helping Texans circumvent Senate Bill 12, The Dallas Express previously reported.
The controversy began after Texans received unsolicited text messages linking to TENT’s back-to-school toolkit. The guide addresses bathrooms, student clubs, names and pronouns, with separate resources for students, families and school employees.
TENT subsequently denied sending the texts. On October 14, it sent cease-and-desist demands to messaging companies Peerless Network and Infobip, seeking to stop the campaign and identify the client behind it, the Texas Tribune reported.
TENT denies sending the mailers
The organization has also denied involvement in the physical mailings. Its website displays the statement under an update labeled October 17.
“We are aware of text messages and now physical mailers that have been circulated concerning TENT that appear to have been issued by or on behalf of the organization. These text messages and mailers were not authored, authorized, approved, or distributed by TENT and are not affiliated with our organization. The texts do not represent the official position or communications of the organization. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain committed to our organizational values of unequivocal support for trans Texans, their families, and their loved ones. Trans Texans belong here. This is our home and we’re not going anywhere,” TENT’s statement said.
No evidence reviewed for this report establishes that a political campaign, party or advocacy organization orchestrated the distribution.
The Dallas Express reached out to TENT for additional comment but did not receive a response.
Provided by Dallas Express
