HOUSTON – The mystery behind those trans-related brochures showing up in Texas mailboxes is getting deeper — and KPRC 2 went looking for answers.
Since KPRC 2 first reported on the story, the controversy has exploded online. Now, new details are emerging about the group listed on the materials — the Texas Transgender Student Union. Online state records show a company by that name was set up as an LLC in Wyoming in early September. But the Houston address printed on the mailer? It doesn’t lead anywhere.
What made the address even more interesting — it looked remarkably similar to the address used by the Transgender Education Network of Texas, known as TENT — a group mentioned multiple times throughout the brochure.
Here’s the comparison:
• Texas Transgender Student Union: 1611 W. Airport Blvd., Suite 123, Meadows Place, Texas 77477
• TENT: 11611 W. Airport Blvd., #180, Meadows Place, TX 77477
KPRC 2 checked out TENT’s address as well. It turned out to be a P.O. box at a UPS Store — and store employees confirmed that TENT does receive mail there.
TENT has been clear from the start — it did not write, authorize, or approve the brochure. The organization says the Texas Transgender Student Union has no connection to them whatsoever. And since the mailers started circulating, TENT says it has been flooded with hate messages and threats through social media and email.
To get some broader context, KPRC 2 went to Rice University to speak with political science professor Mark Jones.
“There’s no coincidence here,” Jones said. “This is being sent out right at the start of the early voting period to parents of pre-K through 12 students — with the goal of eliciting a negative reaction. What this is designed to do is get people to think about this issue, realize that Republicans share their values more than Democrats and therefore go out and vote for a Republican candidate.”
Jones also weighed in on the legality of what’s happening.
“Mailing it out isn’t against the law — but impersonating a group is,” Jones said.
As for whether the average person can track down who is responsible, Jones was direct.
“It’s really tough,” Jones said. “It’s tough enough for campaigns and media organizations to try to track down who created this pamphlet and sent it out. We’re probably not going to know that until close to the election or after. For the average voter — maybe you could go to the website of the organization, but that’s asking a lot.”
TENT says it is currently working with its legal team to determine next steps. An update on the situation is expected soon.
