Speaking to a group of LGBT supporters at a fundraiser on May 21, mayoral candidate Ron Nirenberg said that San Antonio’s LGBT citizens deserve to be treated fairly by their city government and that he was prepared to the defend the community from attack. Nirenberg’s comments were made at a fundraising event dubbed “1000 LGBTQ…
State Senator Strips “Sex” Amendment from Bill Backed by Uber and Lyft
By Alex Samuels, The Texas Tribune May 11, 2017 The Senate sponsor of a bill meant to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft said Thursday he has stripped a controversial amendment from it that would define “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female.” The move comes after…
Texas House Approves Bill Allowing Denial of Adoption by Same-Sex Couples
On Tuesday, May 9, the Texas House approved House Bill 3859, which would allow faith-based adoption agencies to deny placement of foster children with same-sex couples, Jews, Muslims and others based on “the provider’s sincerely held religious beliefs.” The bill, dubbed the “Freedom to Serve Children Act,” passed by a vote of 94 to 51.…
Texas Senate Approves Bill Disqualifying Trans Student Athletes on Hormone Therapy
State Senator Carlos Uresti of San Antonio was one of four Democrats who sided with Republican colleagues on the preliminary approval of a bill that lets the University Interscholastic League disqualify student athletes on steroids, including trans boys taking testosterone for gender dysphoria. Joining Uresti in approving Senate Bill 2095 on May 9 were fellow…
Texas Equity PAC Endorses Nirenberg for Mayor
Texas Equity PAC, the registered political action committee of Equality Texas, has endorsed City Councilman Ron Nirenberg for mayor in the upcoming May 6 municipal election. In an April 28 statement, Texas Equity PAC chairman Eric Johnson said: “The Texas Equity PAC has chosen to give it’s only endorsement of the 2017 election to Ron…
Texas Lawmakers Drop Anti-Trans Amendment in Exchange for Defunding Planned Parenthood
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. In the wee hours of last Friday morning, Texas House representatives decided it was finally time to vote on a state budget. But even after 15 hours of negotiations (and drama) on the House floor, there was still a long list of bill amendments they had yet to…
Anti-LGBT Religious Refusal Bills Abound in Texas Legislature
Republicans in the 85th session of the Texas Legislature are pushing a number religious refusal bills that would codify anti-LGBT discrimination into state law. State lawmakers failed to pass nearly a dozen religious refusal bills in 2015 and in 2017 are again trying to introduce legislation which uses religion to deny equality to LGBT Texans.…
Texas House Bill Would Allow Denial of Same-Sex Couples as Foster Parents
On, Wednesday, March 29, the Texas House State Affairs Committee had a hearing on House Bill 3859 which would allow faith-based groups to deny placement of foster children with same-sex couples and others if it’s against the groups’ religious beliefs. The bill is authored by Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, vice chairman of the House…
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star to Appear at Equality Advocacy Day in Austin
Sara Ramirez, who formerly appeared on the hit TV show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” will be in Austin on March 20 as part of All In For Equality Advocacy Day. The event, which is being presented by Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Texas Freedom Network, and Transgender Education Network of Texas, will include a…
LGBTQ Activists Disrupt, Walk Out of WOAI “Debate” on Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. On Thursday night, WOAI’s Randy Beamer tried to host a “town hall” on Texas Senate Bill 6, the anti-trans measure that started to wind its way through the legislature this week. It did not go well. After about 15 minutes of discussion, LGBTQ activists and allies had heard…