Commissioners rejected sending state funds to Girls Inc. of Tarrant County after dozens of residents raised concerns about the organization’s support of LGBTQ+ issues and abortion rights. Girls Inc. of Tarrant County offers school-based and community programming for 5- to 18-year-old girls. It was one of five organizations that applied for and were approved to receive grant funding from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Tarrant County administers the request for applications and picks the prospective recipients. Of $675,000 in state funds, $115,334 was earmarked for Girls Inc. of Tarrant County’s ‘Girl Power!’ program, a two-part program focusing on self-esteem, stress management, healthy relationships and hygiene. Girls Inc. planned to offer that programming to families in the 76106, 76164, 76112, and 76119 ZIP codes. Commissioners O’Hare, Gary Fickes, and Manny Ramirez, all Republicans, voted to reject giving those funds to Girls Inc. of Tarrant County. Commissioners Roy Brooks and Alisa Simmons, both Democrats, voted unsuccessfully to give Girls Inc. the funds. Residents who spoke in opposition pointed to the organization’s acceptance of transgender girls into their programs, its programming on sexual health, and the national arm’s support of abortion rights. Girls Inc. of Tarrant County is part of a larger network of chapters across the U.S. and Canada. #Queer Up The USA View