Texas Nonprofit Says It Was Impersonated in LGBTQ+ Mailers
Sandego.net – A Texas nonprofit says it was impersonated in LGBTQ+ mailers delivered to homes across the state shortly before early voting began. The blue and pink pamphlets, addressed to students in each household, were labeled “TEXAS TRANS & LGBTQ+ STUDENT RESOURCE GUIDE” and featured intertwined hands on the cover.
The Transgender Education Network of Texas, known as TENT, said it did not create or distribute the materials despite its name, logo, event photos and “Trans Texas” branding appearing throughout the pamphlets. The organization called the mailers impersonations and said they were not affiliated with TENT.
Mailers Prompted Court Action and Investigation
The pamphlets included information about emancipation from parents and seeking gender-affirming care outside Texas. Their return address resembled TENT’s Houston address, but one digit had been removed. Another name listed above the address was the Texas Transgender Student Union, an LLC registered in Wyoming last month.
Days before the mailers appeared, text messages using TENT’s likeness were also sent to phones across Texas, according to court documents. The nonprofit said the campaign led to an onslaught of hateful and violent threats, forcing it to deactivate its website, hire legal counsel and suspend normal programming.
A Texas nonprofit says it was impersonated as it sought court help to identify the people responsible. A civil court judge ruled Tuesday that TENT could subpoena the LLC connected to the flyers. The judge also denied an attempt by the LLC to dismiss the case, according to WFAA.
“Texas voters are being deceptively targeted and tricked en masse,” TENT’s attorney wrote in a court filing.
Chris Hilton, an attorney for the LLC and a former assistant attorney general in Ken Paxton’s office, argued that the pamphlets amounted to protected free speech and that revealing the senders’ identities could cause harm. TENT’s court petition described the use of its name, materials and branding as unlawful.
Political Concerns Grow Ahead of Texas Voting
The timing of the mailers fueled questions about whether they were intended to provoke conservative voters in a closely watched election season. Republican turnout is particularly important in Texas, where several races have become more competitive than expected.
Paxton is running for Senate against Democrat James Talarico, while Democrats are seeking to end a 32-year statewide losing streak in the Senate and governor’s races. President Donald Trump, who has won Texas three times by double-digit margins, campaigned in the state Tuesday.
Sarah Stogner, a Republican district attorney in West Texas, opened a criminal forgery investigation into the pamphlets. She warned that the incident could place real people in danger by exposing organizations to people who may believe the groups personally targeted them.
“This is just potentially another day of dirty politics that, in this case, may have gone a step too far because now you’ve got real people in danger,” Stogner told CNN.
Some voters said the campaign could motivate conservatives, though its ultimate effect on turnout remains unclear. Deborah Owens, a conservative Democrat from Collin County, said she found the alleged tactic troubling because it appeared designed to exploit an emotional political issue.
Texas Mailer Case FAQ
What did the Texas nonprofit say about the mailers?
TENT said it did not produce, authorize or send the LGBTQ+ resource guide pamphlets or related text messages. The organization said its name and branding were used without permission.
Why did the judge allow subpoenas?
The judge allowed TENT to seek information from the LLC named in connection with the mailers so the nonprofit can try to determine who sent them.
Is there a criminal investigation?
Yes. A West Texas district attorney said she opened a criminal forgery investigation related to the pamphlets.
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