In a new episode of 'VICE' on HBO, award-winning correspondent Gianna Toboni takes an in-depth look at how the November elections could impact the second-largest transgender population in the U.S.
Airing Friday, "Trans in Texas" examines how life for transgender Americans has become more uncertain as politicians dismantle key federal and state protections and introduce a slew of anti-LGBTQ bills.
Last season, Toboni investigated the lives of transgender children and their families as they navigated decisions over medical transitions and how best to support their children's identity in Texas in the award-winning report "Trans Youth".
One year on, Toboni reconnects with the Shappley family, whose daughter Kai has been removed from the girl's bathroom by school staff and now faces a different set of challenges, as they seek a more inclusive school district for Kai but find they have no choice but to leave Houston - known as "Ground Zero" for the bathroom bill - and move to Austin.
Since VICE's initial report aired, federal support for transgender rights has eroded with President Trump demanding a ban on transgender people serving in the military, and a full reversal of Obama's bathroom guidelines for students.
"Trans in Texas" takes a wider look at the human stories affected by current the political discourse, and will feature key insights from the Houston Police Department, Former Mayor of Houston Annise Parker, and transgender rights advocates from Dallas.
VICE: "Trans in Texas" premieres Friday, August 24 at 7:30/11:00 PM on HBO
