Texas LGBTQ-centric Congregationalist church funds transit for child sex changes

Following the passing of Senate Bill 14, which prohibits anyone under 18 from receiving so-called "gender-affirming care," a Texas church has taken it upon themselves to raise money to shuttle children to states where puberty blockers and child genital mutilation are still legal.

The Fort Worth-based Galileo Church, which bills itself as a "quirky, LGBTQ-friendly church seeking spiritual refugees" whose first missional priority is to "do justice for LGBTQ people," announced the creation of the North Texas Trans-portation Network in late August.

According to the NTTN website, while the non-profit is an "integrated auxiliary ministry" of the Galileo Church, it is a "non-religious organization," meaning those who access its services or contribute needn't believe in God or participate in religious services.

To be eligible for funding, families must live in Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, or Wise Counties. Parents or guardians also "must be legally authorized to seek medical care for the trans or gender-diverse minor."

In an interview with CBS News, NTTN Executive Director Cynthia Daniels called SB14 "devastating," and said those who help the non-profit are "just being a good neighbor to a group of people who have been selected to not be able to receive their healthcare."

Since its founding in August, the NTTN has received applications from two families, and managed to help fund one out of state trip. Claimants will be given $1,000, which is "not enough to cover the entire cost of, say, a round trip to Colorado with a two- or three-day stay, medical expenses, and loss of income."

The non-profit has claimed that there are around 30,000 "trans minors" living in Texas, and nearly 300,000 in the United States. Many have questioned whether NTTN's work is legal, however under the new law Texans are allowed to leave the state to access "gender-affirming care."