Many of you have seen Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s latest directive related to transgender youth, and I’ve received questions from some of you wondering what we’re doing to voice our opposition. First, we are an active and founding member of Texas Competes and are working with them and other member companies to oppose this directive. We believe in access to more healthcare, not less, and have signed Texas and National letters stating this alongside other major employers and chambers. We are using our collective voices to advocate for equality and inclusion.

We are actively tracking this issue, its impact on team members and citizens and making our opposition known. Everything I shared in October (below) remains true. Please continue to use the resources below – like the Dell Gender Transition Toolkit - to support yourself, your teams and your families. Please feel free to share this note and the resources with others who may find them helpful.

I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. Let’s continue to lead with empathy and to support each other.  

Texas House Bill 25

There is currently a bill making its way through the Texas Legislature that deals with transgender youth sports. Texas House Bill 25 (HB25) would require students to play on public school sports teams matching their biological sex assigned at or near birth. We understand this legislation hits home for many Texans and Dell Technologies team members.

At Dell, we believe in fair treatment in the workplace, regardless of race, gender identity or religion. It's a commitment we mirror in our diversity, equity and anti-discrimination policies, as well as the public policies we support. We have been clear on our position that this legislation and similar legislation in other states do not mirror our policies. Earlier this month, Erik Day, one of our Pride sponsors, testified our position at the HB25 House Committee hearing. We’ve also advocated for the Equality Act and joined Texas Competes alongside 1400+ companies to encourage communities that are diverse and welcoming for everyone including the LGBTQIA+ community.

The emotional toll this law has already taken and will continue to take on our youth and their families will be felt far beyond the walls of our state. We are here to listen and support you during this time. We also want to remind you of resources and benefits available to you:

• Dell Technologies Employee Assistance Plan counselors are accessible 24 x 7 for you, or a loved one.  Visit the Lyra Health website or call 1-877-222-4258 for help.
• Our benefit programs support all team members including transgender and transitioning team members. See the Dell Gender Transition Toolkit.
• Our health care plan provides coverage aligned to the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standards of Care. 
• In addition to our medical benefits, we also offer paid time off policies including leave and disability for our team members who need time to recover from a surgery.
• For further support, please go to My HR where you can Chat with an HR Representative or submit a Case.

If you would like to connect with other team members who share in your experiences, please don’t hesitate to contact us or your local chapter lead. We’ll continue to work with other business leaders and our communities to support policies that ensure you and your loved ones are treated fairly and feel safe to be who you are, both in the workplace and at home.

Allison