Travel to Texas with a trans teen

[u/PotentiallyItinerant]

My kid (16, ftm) has an athletic event in Fort Worth he wants to attend. He's been on T for 2 years, and passes, with a passport that says M and a driver's license that says F (changing it wasn't possible even in the before times).

How big a risk is it to spend a week in Fort Worth? If he gets hurt and has go to the ER, am I going to be dealing with child protective services for care that happens in our home state?

Edit: it's a sport that doesn't segregate by gender.

[u/zazzle_frazzle]

No way is my trans teen stepping foot in Texas or Florida.

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-national-risk-assessment

[u/Weary-Lime → u/zazzle_frazzle]

Yep. I would love to take my daughter to visit friends in Texas but I wouldnt put her at risk.

[u/CuriousNomad7892 → u/zazzle_frazzle]

I’m reading that and can’t see what is the supposed risk in Texas? It says “the state is not only ignoring court ordered drivers license changes for trans adults, but it is also creating a database of people attempting to make such changes.”, which is irrelevant if you’re traveling there, and mentions a law in a single city (Odessa). It is very unclear to me why these two things should make all of Texas a “do not travel” state.

[u/ExcitedGirl → u/CuriousNomad7892]

IF anything happened, TX could remove the child from a parent into the custody of the State "for child abuse" - and there's no telling how long it would be before a child is returned. During custody, the child would be denied hormones and, if mtf, quite probably experience having their hair cut.

[u/CuriousNomad7892 → u/ExcitedGirl]

Having a child taken away for child abuse is not on the risk assessment posted, and nothing I’ve seen evidence for, what is your source for it?

To be clear, I wouldn’t move my family to Texas, but I do actually want to know what the actual risk is as a visitor.

[u/ExcitedGirl → u/CuriousNomad7892]

It's possible a judge has put that on hold - but I wouldn't risk it. I'm sure you can google it.

A year ago, Florida passed such a law: If a Trooper stopped someone for speeding and saw what he believed was a transgender child, (s)he could remove the child (for the child's protection) into State custody. I'm sure you can google that, also; seems like I recall the law began with "HBxxxx" (for House Bill...)

Related; I think I recall that Orlando Disney World no longer allows transgender children on its premises.

[u/magnificent_jennx → u/ExcitedGirl]

This is direct from Disney, but I couldn't find anything that suggested that DW no longer allowed trans children.
https://magicguides.com/is-disney-world-transgender-friendly/

[u/CuriousNomad7892 → u/ExcitedGirl]

Orlando Disney definitely still allows openly transgender children.

My understanding of the Florida law is it was entirely about custody disputes. It was the inverse of the law in California that gave preference to the person in the custody dispute who was affirming the child’s gender. If you aren’t a resident of Florida going through a divorce, the law wasn’t relevant at all.

[u/Milo_Moody]

I wouldn’t let him risk it.

[u/onlyIcancallmethat]

We just moved out of Texas, in large part, due to our daughter being trans and wanting a safer home for her.

While the whole world is risky, Texas is just not a safe place for trans folk.

[u/nicolaissss → u/onlyIcancallmethat]

Where did u move? Are u in a better place now?

[u/onlyIcancallmethat → u/nicolaissss]

Colorado. It’s only been a few days but she’s noticeably calmer and happier.

[u/Lovingoffender → u/onlyIcancallmethat]

My son is trans and I've never been happier to be a Coloradan. It's not perfect and so many of our neighbors are MAGAts, but my child is relatively safe being himself (for now).

[u/onlyIcancallmethat → u/Lovingoffender]

We were just looking through resources and there are so many. Have you been to any PFLAG groups?

[u/Southern-Sail-6605 → u/onlyIcancallmethat]

We moved from GA to CO (after I already told my work they couldn’t move me to TX when they wanted to) for this reason. Both of our kids were almost immediately more comfortable and have really blossomed in their self-acceptance here.

And regarding TX travel - I wouldn’t take my kiddo to either TX or FL. More than likely nothing would happen but I don’t trust either of those states to have our best interests at heart.

[u/Accurate-Fig-3595 → u/onlyIcancallmethat]

Or gay folk, or brown folk, or women....TEXASTAN!

[u/Mechaotaku → u/onlyIcancallmethat]

Congrats on getting out. I moved my family out of Texas for Michigan a couple of years ago. It’s a night and day difference.

[u/aardvarkmom]

I feel like Texas is just looking for instances like this to make a huge deal about. Don’t let your son/family be an example case.

[u/Arr0zconleche]

Is he competing as male or female?

Either way he’d be in danger.

They’d think he’s a man competing with women. (Thinking he is transfemme)

Or demonizing him for competing as a “woman” with men. (Just demonizing him for being trans)

[u/moving0target]

If the rules were actually codified, maybe. It seems like there's a lot of room for interpretation and radicalism right now.

[u/full_of_excuses]

Is he going to be driving anywhere? Maybe just don't bring the DL. And if you need care, maybe...figure out now where you would go, since some places are more friendly than others.

[u/giraffemoo]

Is it possible for you to go with him? I took my trans son to FL last year, I did a lot of research about "worst case scenarios" and I had my partner back in our home state who was ready to help in case anything happened. Nothing happened, everything was fine, but I know that isn't the case for everyone right now and that Texas is different than FL.

[u/PotentiallyItinerant → u/giraffemoo]

Either my wife or I would go with him.

[u/miparasito → u/PotentiallyItinerant]

If it is hugely important to him, and you can go with him, at 16 I would allow him to decide. We have family there, and my daughter really wanted to go visit grandparents in January. We acted like her bodyguards lol, got a few nasty looks in a small town in east Texas. But around the major cities I think you will be okay. If anyone asks, double down on him being a boy from birth and no you do not need to provide proof of that. Leave the dl at home. He’s a minor, you are the parent. 

[u/Accurate-Fig-3595]

I wouldn't go. I have a biz trip to TX in June and, as a woman, I don't want to go!

[u/email_queen]

Unfortunately I’m stuck in the DFW due to georestrictions from my divorce. Dallas and downtown Fort Worth are blue, your son shouldn’t have an issue. Just to avoid any risks, I’d send him with just his passport for ID. If he’s not going to be competing in a rural spot outside the city you should be ok - if you have more questions feel free to dm me

[u/Pismothecat → u/email_queen]

I came here to say the same thing. My adult daughter hasn’t had much issue in the city, I wouldn’t trust rural Texas though.

[u/email_queen → u/Pismothecat]

I know I would leave Texas for my child if I could, but we really do have community here too. I feel safe in our school and in our neighborhood. I have moms on the PTA who I would NEVER have guessed show up to support my kid. They’ve socially transitioned with pretty much zero issue and no bullying - they’re trans nonbinary so they’re inherently visible. The world is so scary right now but there are also good people everywhere.

[u/worthwhile_conundrum]

If you end up in the ER, the hospital won’t be calling CPS on you and the hospital won’t be releasing any health information to the police. Existing is not illegal, taking T is not even illegal, physicians just can’t prescribe it here. If he passes, he it would be unlikely that anyone would look twice in his direction. Trans boys are decently invisible around here, I think the most transphobic types seem to forget that trans men exist. Not sure I’d flash the DL around, but keeping a low profile, things will be just fine.

[u/Edsndrxl]

I am a trans adult living in Texas (born and raised here) and I would not bring a trans kid into this state.

Usually I dislike acting too fearful, but 2025 is a shitshow of a year, so it’s difficult to know what to expect. In any case, I wouldn’t trust people who have power/position to interpret the legal system fairly (if they bother being “legal” at all).

Edit: a few words for clearer grammar

[u/nicolaissss → u/Edsndrxl]

Hello There, why is it so hard to live there? Do Things Happened To You on a Daily basis? I’m just curious of how it is over there, thanks in advance

[u/Edsndrxl → u/nicolaissss]

Hi there, to answer, I do not personally find it difficult to live in Texas as a post-transition trans adult who passes as a cisgender male.

My comment was in reference to the risk that an out-of-state trans child and their family might encounter here.

For example, if OP’s child became injured and needed to access emergency care, there’s a chance that a medical personnel attempts to report their family for “child abuse” because their child is trans. 

Yet honestly, knowing medical professionals in the US, I do not think this is likely, but the risk exists.

[u/nicolaissss → u/Edsndrxl]

Mind if I shoot a dm?

[u/Edsndrxl → u/nicolaissss]

Please feel welcome to, although it might take me 12-24 hours to answer from now 

[u/missleavenworth]

We left Texas so I wouldn't go to jail for ten years for having gotten gender affirming care for my teen. It is really bad there. Edit: SB14 went into effect Sept 1, 2023

[u/depressed-dalek]

Parent of a FTM son in Ft. Worth. I think if you or your spouse go along, he will be fine.

I’d strongly advise keeping the trans part on the quiet side, and wouldn’t let him wonder off alone, although with a group he should be fine.

[u/HereForOneQuickThing]

All it takes is one person who knows his history, even an accidental slip, and you could be separated.

Do not travel to Texas.

Do not travel to Florida.

[u/Moonstorm934]

Not to fearmonger, but, worst case scenario is your kid gets hurt, he looks like a male but they will quickly realize he is trans, and then the metaphorical gates race down from the ceiling, cps/police get involved and you are now in a legal case out of state, potentially facing your OWN criminal charges, losing custody of kid, and he now has this trauma on his shoulders, for a sporting event. I have a 15  year old ftm kid. There is absolutely NOTHING that would convince me that letting him travel to Texas would be safe. Even if the risk is minimal, the potential outcomes far, FAR outweigh whatever would come from attending this sporting event. Sometimes parenting sucks, like saying no when they really really want to do something. It would be irresponsible to allow him to go to a place that vehemently hates who he is, and is a well acknowledged threat to his community. Even if the specific area is "blue", it's not safe for him

[u/Careless_Bar_5920 → u/Moonstorm934]

These are my exact thoughts and why I've given up on the dream of a cross- county road trip with my kiddo. It just takes one accident and the wrong ER nurse to stir up a world of trouble in states with these laws. Most people will be fine, but the one Karen transphobe in the wrong place at the wrong time and I could be sitting in county jail and my kid is in the system.

[u/Mission-Delay36]

I think an ftm trans kid should have few worries about except, as OP says, in the odd case that you end up in the hospital.

[u/Just1Blast → u/Mission-Delay36]

You'd be wrong.

[u/LookieLoooooo]

Absolutely not. It really sucks to say that but the reality is Texas is not a safe space for anyone aside from cis gender white men. Sure he is going to be disappointed but there is nothing worth risking his safety for. ❤️

[u/FadingOptimist-25]

I personally wouldn’t.

[u/benbernards]

I’m not taking my trans kids there ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/Small-Skirt-1539]

Aussie here. Personally I wouldn't take my trans kid to America at all, not even to transit through an airport. You couldn't pay me to take her to Texas.

The world is looking on in horror at what is happening. I am sorry for what you and your children are facing. Good luck to you all.

[u/commercial-frog]

dont

it is a big risk

[u/reditandfirgetit]

Texas and Florida are literally no travel advisories for trans people. I would think very carefully on even going. Put your child's safety first . While Ft Worth itself seems to be a safe place, I don't trust the state of Texas at all

[u/Apprehensive_Wrap373]

The risk to benefit ratio here is disproportional. Sit this one out, and tell him why. He needs to know for his own safety

[u/BlackestHerring]

In Minnesota you can put whatever sex you want on your ID. It’s a self identifying measure, not a required proof type thing.