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2 clusters · 15 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Texas transgender resource mailer impersonation campaign

Overview

Families in Texas reported receiving unsolicited mailers and text messages titled ‘Texas Trans & LGBTQ+ Student Resource Guide.’ The materials, purportedly from the ‘Texas Transgender Student Union,’ provided advice for minors regarding gender-affirming care, seeking safe adults, and legal emancipation. Investigations revealed the sender was a Wyoming-registered entity using a commercial mailbox rental address.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), whose branding was used in the pamphlets, denied involvement and identified the campaign as an impersonation attempt. TENT has filed a petition in Travis County court to identify the responsible parties, noting that the content led to threats of violence against their staff.

As the campaign coincided with early voting for the November 3 midterm elections, West Texas District Attorney Sarah Stogner launched a criminal investigation into whether the effort was a politically motivated attempt to influence voters. State lawmakers have suggested that new legislation may be necessary to prevent the impersonation of organizations in political communications.

Entities

Texas Transgender Student Union · Transgender Education Network of Texas · Wyoming · Ken Paxton · Texas

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Texas lawmakers and rights group respond to fake political mailers

    Texas officials and the Transgender Education Network of Texas are investigating a fraudulent mailer campaign that impersonates advocacy groups to distribute inflammatory political messages.

  2. [POLITICS] 14 sources
    Texas families receive mysterious transgender resource mailers

    Mysterious mailers and texts addressed to students in Texas provide guidance on gender identity and emancipation. The Transgender Education Network of Texas denies involvement, citing impersonation.

Sources

advocate.com · churchleaders.com · fox4news.com · gomag.com · heartlandernews.com · illinoistimes.com · joemygod.com · msnbc.com · nouvelles-du-monde.com · opslens.com · sacurrent.com · snopes.com · thefederalist.com · wnd.com · wyofile.com