More than 200 Texas small businesses have signed an open letter asking legislators not to pass a law restricting usage of restrooms by transgender people.

When I posted yesterday's diary, DoJ to appeal injunction, I was surprised to encounter a reader/commenter who came down on the side of Texas AG Ken Paxton. Not being a lawyer, I didn't really engage in any argument at the time.

Marilyn Morrison started the school year at Cannon Elementary School in Grapevine, TX as a girl for the first time. The third-grader will apparently not be finishing the school year there.

The constant bullying has become just too much.

It makes me feel like I'm my old self when I was a boy.

I just can't take it. It's too much for a kid like me.

--Marilyn

The refusal of officials in Texas to accept the fact that some kids are transgender (and what that means to how they should be treated) is raising concerns as the school year rapidly approaches.

Robert Jeffress is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas. If he were not a "man of God, ", we would probably be tempted to say he seems to have a bit of trouble with the placement of his foot, vis-a-vis his mouth. Maybe the "if" should be removed.

DeMarkis Stansberry was a 30-year-old black transgender man residing in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.

On Saturday, DeMarkis was fatally shot in the head by Nicholas Matthews, who just turned 24 on Monday.

Matthews was booked by sheriff's deputies for negligent homicide, illegal use of a weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon.