Family of transgender child worried about recent passed legislation

HOUSTON – At a glance, 11-year-old Ben is a typical kid who loves playing video games.

But Ben is transgender. He was born a female, transitioning into a male.

“The week for the transgender community has been devastating,” said Ben’s mom, Ann Elder.

Elder fought the privacy, or, bathroom bill. It passed the Texas Senate and could soon go before the Texas House of Representatives. It would require Texans to use the bathroom that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate.

Elder said that would leave Ben going to the girl’s bathroom, or not at all.

“The Texas Legislature is not listening to us," Elder said.

On Wednesday, President Trump’s tweets announced transgender Americans have no place in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“If there is someone that is willing to give their life for our country, why stop them? We need them. We need them desperately,” Edler said.

She said she fears rules and regulations would create an even more outcast population that will be unable to go to the bathroom, leave their home or go to work.

“So if we’re going to isolate and discriminate against the transgender community, taxpayers like me, you, your viewers will be paying for the transgender community’s housing, medical bills, food,” Edler said.

Speaker of the Texas House, Joe Straus, indicated Monday he did not support the bathroom legislation.

Download the Click2Houston news app in your app store to stay up-to-date with the latest news while you're on the go.

Sign up for KPRC 2 newsletters to get breaking news, sports, entertainment, contests and more delivered straight to your email inbox.