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Amber Briggle

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Amber Briggle
OrganizationHuman Rights Campaign Parents for Transgender Equality National Council
Known forActivism for transgender rights
PFLAG v. Abbott
SpouseAdam Briggle
Children2
Websitelovetothemax.net

Amber Briggle is an American activist based in Denton, Texas and a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign Parents for Transgender Equality National Council.

Briggle and her husband are named plaintiffs in PFLAG v. Abbott, a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal in June 2022 on behalf of members of PFLAG and three families that seek to block Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) investigations based on a directive by Texas Governor Greg Abbott for DFPS to investigate families with transgender children reported to be receiving gender-affirming health care.

Biography

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Early activism 2016 - 2021

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Briggle began her activist career in April 2016, using Facebook to protest bathroom regulations targeting transgender children[1][2] and statements made on Facebook by the Denton County Republican-elect Sheriff.[3][4] She then spoke to news media to promote rights for transgender children, and during a press conference on May 31, invited Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to dinner at her home.[1]

On September 1, Paxton and his wife had dinner with Briggle and her family, including her trans son, who had begun his transition during first grade.[5][2][6] After the dinner, the Human Rights Campaign invited Briggle to become a founding member of the Parents for Transgender Equality National Council, and she eventually became the national co-chair of the council.[7][8] In December, Briggle and her family were invited to the White House to watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.[3]

In March 2017, Briggle and her son participated in Trans Texas Lobby Day, with her son meeting lawmakers as part of a campaign in opposition to a proposed bill to prevent children from using a bathroom matching their gender identity.[9] A San Antonio Express-News photographer took a picture of her son, age nine at the time and tired after the day, sitting on the floor and crying while Briggle comforted him.[9][10] Briggle posted the picture to Facebook and it became a viral opportunity for her to continue to speak out on behalf of trans children.[10] The proposed bathroom bill was not passed by the legislature.[8]

In July 2019, Briggle participated in an open community discussion at the City Council Chambers in Denton City Hall that was organized by a member of the city council on the topic of the need for a local ordinance with legal protections for LGBTQ people.[11][12] In November 2019, she spoke with ABC News about Paxton calling for a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigation of another family with a transgender child, stating, "After meeting a mother like me, meeting me in my home, meeting my child, breaking bread at my table, engaging with my children, and then acting like family's like mine should not exist, it's infuriating."[2]

In April 2021, Briggle testified before the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs against two proposed bills, one to expand the definition of "abuse" to include parents who obtain gender-affirming medical treatments and procedures for their children, with criminal and civil penalties, and the other to restrict liability insurance coverage and create a felony offense for doctors prescribing treatment or performing procedures.[13][14][15][4]

During her testimony, she explained gender-affirming surgeries are not performed on minor children, and stated, "If this bill becomes law, that, senators, is child abuse, and I promise I will call every single one of you every time a transgender child dies from suicide to remind you that their lives could have been saved, but you chose not to."[16] After her testimony, she told NBC News her family would consider moving out of Texas to protect their child.[15]

In May 2021, Briggle spoke out against efforts in the Texas Legislature to pass a bill to prevent trans children from participating on sports teams that match their gender identity.[17] She also spoke with The 19th about her work as part of a national advocacy network of parents of trans children and the challenges of trying to find a state to relocate to that is safe for trans children and their families.[18]

In November 2021, with the help of her church and a local brewery, Briggle organized a book reading for children after a "Rainbow Storytime" scheduled for the Trans Day of Remembrance at the local public library was canceled due to threats of violence.[19][20] The book reading organized by Briggle featured stories with transgender themes.[19][20] Hundreds of people attended, including a small group of protesters and police serving as protection.[19][20]

2022 - present

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"Raising a transgender child in Texas has been one long political emergency."

Amber Briggle, March 8, 2022

On February 24, 2022, Briggle spoke out against the efforts of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to describe gender-affirming medical treatments for children as child abuse and the directive from Abbott for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to investigate families with transgender children who were reported to be receiving such medical treatment.[21][22]

According to her attorney, DFPS began an investigation into the Briggle family on February 24, the day after Paxton wrote a legal opinion that characterized gender-affirming treatments as child abuse.[23] On February 28, Briggle was notified that DFPS had opened an investigation into her family.[24] After the Briggles consulted with an attorney, their home was visited two days later by a caseworker who interviewed their children.[24][25][26]

On March 8, Briggle wrote on her website in a post about the investigation, "Raising a transgender child in Texas has been one long political emergency."[27] On March 11, a Texas District Court issued a temporary injunction, which temporarily stopped the state investigations into families who provide gender-affirming medical care for their children, and scheduled a trial for July 11, 2022.[25][28] Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed the trial court decision, and it was upheld at the Third District Court of Appeals of Texas.[29][30]

At the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in April 2022, Briggle gave a speech onstage about the experience of her family after the Abbott directive.[31] On May 13, 2022, the Texas Supreme Court removed the broad injunction against DFPS investigations and applied it only to the family leading the lawsuit during the appeal process; the court said DFPS investigations could otherwise continue, and that the directive from Abbott cited no legal authority and was not legally binding on DFPS.[32][30]

On June 8, in a case titled PFLAG v. Abbott, the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays organization (now known as PFLAG) and three families, including the Briggles, to block investigations under the Abbott directive into their families as well as members of PFLAG.[33][31][34]

The Travis County District Court issued a temporary restraining order against investigations based on the directive, pending further court proceedings, for the lead plaintiff families and members of PFLAG on June 10.[35] During the June 10 hearing, a plaintiffs' attorney noted the state had closed the investigation into the Briggles and found no child abuse.[35][36]

In a July 8 court order, the Travis County judge described the DFPS investigations as "gross invasions of privacy" and issued a temporary injunction that blocked the pending investigations into the other two families named in the lawsuit, while reserving the issues of further relief for PFLAG members and the Briggles for a later decision.[37] Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal.[37] The Travis County court extended the temporary injunction to include DFPS investigations of PLFAG members and the Briggles based on the directive on September 16, and Attorney General Paxton filed an immediate appeal.[38] The injunctions blocking investigations of the parties based on the directive continue during the appeal.[34][39]

Briggle, her husband, and her children attended a rally for equality hosted by LGBTQ organizations in Austin, Texas on March 20, 2023, and attempted to meet with Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan; Briggle has also continued to use social media for advocacy related to gender-affirming health care.[31] As of April 2023, the Briggles are the only family, of at least 15 families, investigated by DFPS pursuant to the Abbott directive to have publicly identified themselves.[31]

Political career

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Briggle was a candidate for Denton City Council in 2015, and lost to Kathleen Wazny with 31% of the vote.[40] In January 2022, she declared her candidacy for the at-large seat on the Denton City Council.[40] In the election on May 7, 2022, Briggle received 7,503 votes and lost to Chris Watts, who received 7,963 votes.[41][42]

Personal life

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Briggle is the owner of a massage studio[43] and is married to Adam Briggle, who is a tenured professor[18][25] of philosophy at the University of North Texas.[29] They have two children.[18][7][29]

References

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  1. ^ a b McPhate, Christian (August 25, 2016). "Denton Mom of Transgender Son Waiting for Texas AG Paxton to Set Date for Meal Together". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Riviera, Gloria; Hawkins, Sally; Walker, Knez; Yang, Allie (November 8, 2019). "7-year-old caught in high-profile custody battle exposes additional gaps in trans rights, protections". ABC News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b McPhate, Christian (December 15, 2016). "White House Invites Family of a Local Transgender Boy to Attend Rogue One Screening". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Marquez, Yvonne S. (May 20, 2021). "Fighting Anti-Trans Legislation Takes a Toll on Texas Kids and Families". The Texas Observer. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  5. ^ Fine, Julie (September 2, 2016). "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Has Dinner With Family of Transgender Boy". KXAS-TV. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  6. ^ Hensley, Nicole (September 5, 2016). "Texas attorney general Ken Paxton joins family of transgender boy, 8, for dinner despite filing anti-LGBT lawsuit targeting bathroom mandate". New York Daily News. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b Andrew, Scottie (July 26, 2021). "Four parents of transgender boys on the challenges and joys of raising their sons in a world that can be hostile". ABC17. CNN. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  8. ^ a b McGaughy, Lauren (January 9, 2019). "Flag flown over state Capitol on Tuesday honored transgender Texans, Denton mom says". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b Bradshaw, Kelsey (July 27, 2017). "The story behind the viral Express-News photo of a transgender boy crying at the capitol". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b Friedman, Megan (July 26, 2017). "This Mom Comforting Her Crying Son Shows the Real Pain Trans Kids Go Through". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  11. ^ Blackburn, Bradley (July 19, 2019). "Denton mom says it's time for anti-discrimination ordinance to protect LGBTQ rights". ABC8. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  12. ^ Spillyards, Allie (July 21, 2019). "Debate Fires Up in Denton Over LGBTQ Discrimination Ordinance". KXAS-TV. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  13. ^ O'Kane, Caitlin (April 16, 2021). "Tearful mother urges Texas lawmakers not to pass bill that would classify supporting transgender children as abuse". CBS News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  14. ^ Neumann, Sean (April 16, 2021). "Texas Mom Gives Emotional Testimony Defending Trans Son at Hearing on Controversial Bill". People. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b Yurcaba, Jo (April 19, 2021). "'It's not safe': Parents of transgender kids plan to flee their states as GOP bills loom". NBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  16. ^ Idliby, Leia (April 15, 2021). "WATCH: Emotional Mom of Trans Son Goes Viral for Tearful Plea to Texas Legislators Not to Pass Anti-Trans Bill". Mediaite. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  17. ^ Yurcaba, Jo (May 7, 2021). "Texas Democrat revives trans athlete bill in retaliation against his party". NBC News. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  18. ^ a b c Sosin, Kate (May 7, 2021). "Why one mother says the public fight for trans rights is worth it". The 19th. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Migdon, Brooke (November 23, 2021). "Texas mother organizes transgender story time after library faced threats over 'Rainbow Storytime'". The Hill. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Cooper, Alex (November 23, 2021). "Trans Boy's Mother Stands Up to Transphobic Threats Over Storytime". The Advocate. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  21. ^ Panicker, Jobin (February 24, 2022). "'I have no more words for him': Mother of transgender youth responds to Ken Paxton labeling gender-affirming care as child abuse". KHOU11. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  22. ^ Latifi, Fortesa (February 24, 2022). "How Anti-Trans Bills Affect Trans Youth". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  23. ^ Breen, Kerry (March 11, 2022). "Mom of transgender child under investigation in Texas speaks out: 'Done nothing wrong'". Today. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  24. ^ a b Sosin, Kate (March 8, 2022). "'I don't know where it's safe': Family of trans child who dined with Ken Paxton is facing child abuse investigation". The 19th. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Michaels, Samantha (March 11, 2022). "Texas Has Been Investigating the Briggle Family Because of Their Trans Son. Here's Their Story". Mother Jones. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  26. ^ "This Texas family is being investigated because their child is trans: 'I don't know where it's safe'". PBS NewsHour. 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  27. ^ Hurley, Bevan (March 10, 2022). "They hosted him for dinner. Now he's accusing them of child abuse". The Independent. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  28. ^ Villafranca, Omar (March 11, 2022). "Texas judge temporarily blocks state from investigating parents over medical care for transgender children". CBS News. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  29. ^ a b c Goodwyn, Wade (March 24, 2022). "Texas governor calls gender affirming care 'child abuse.' This family fights back". NPR. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  30. ^ a b Rose, Elizabeth Wolfe,Andy (9 June 2022). "3 Texas families sue over the state's investigations of gender-affirming care as potential 'child abuse'". CNN. Retrieved 16 May 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ a b c d Gibson, Caitlin (10 April 2023). "Texas is home. The Briggle family and their trans child are fighting for it". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  32. ^ Aguilar, Julián (May 13, 2022). "Texas Supreme Court rules investigations into gender-affirming care can continue". KUT 90.5. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  33. ^ Klibanoff, Eleanor (8 June 2022). "More families of trans teens sue to stop Texas child abuse investigations". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  34. ^ a b "PFLAG v. Abbott". American Civil Liberties Union. April 20, 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  35. ^ a b Klibanoff, Eleanor (10 June 2022). "Judge temporarily blocks some Texas investigations into gender-affirming care for trans kids". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  36. ^ McGaughy, Lauren (10 June 2022). "Texas judge temporarily halts more transgender child abuse investigations". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  37. ^ a b Thornton, Chuck Lindell and Claire (July 9, 2022). "Texas judge blocks child-abuse investigations into 2 families for gender-affirming care". USA TODAY. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  38. ^ Pietsch, Bryan (September 18, 2022). "Texas appeals after court blocks some transgender child welfare probes". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  39. ^ McGaughy, Lauren (November 19, 2022). "Denton bookstore hosts Transgender Storytime during Transgender Week of Awareness". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  40. ^ a b Reid, Marshall (January 26, 2022). "Denton activist, business owner announces City Council bid". Denton Record-Chronicle. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  41. ^ D’Annunzio, Francesca (May 9, 2022). "North Texas election results: City Council, mayor". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  43. ^ Rosenberg, Joyce M. (April 5, 2021). "Some businesses want masks on, even as states drop mandates". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
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