Texas nonprofit denied involvement in LGBTQ+ mailers as judge allows subpoena

Blue and pink pamphlets arrived in Texas mailboxes around October 17, two days before early voting began on October 19. The materials were addressed to the student in each household and bore the title Texas Trans and LGBTQ+ Student Resource Guide.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas denied creating or mailing the pamphlets. The nonprofit said its name, logo, and Trans Texas branding appeared throughout the brochure without its permission.

“Texas voters are being deceptively targeted and tricked en masse.”

Inside, the pamphlets included information about emancipating from parents and receiving gender affirming care out of state. Photographs from the nonprofit’s events and merchandise were also used.

The return address was a Houston address nearly identical to the nonprofit’s own address, with just one digit removed. Text messages using the nonprofit’s likeness were also sent to phones across the state days earlier, according to court documents.

A Texas civil court judge ruled on Tuesday that the nonprofit can subpoena an LLC to identify who is behind the flyers. The nonprofit described the use of its name and materials as unlawful in a petition filed last week.

Critics said the mailers were intended to trigger conservative voters and drive them to the polls in a tight election. Republican turnout is considered critical in Texas due to unusually competitive races at the top of the ticket.