Days after the House failed to pass a ban against gender confirmation medical care, the Senate pushed its own attempt forward. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune The Texas Senate this week quickly revived and passed a bill banning gender-affirming health care for children under 18, days after a similar House bill failed to advance…
Trans students in Texas would be barred from school sports teams matching their gender identity under a bill advanced by state Senate
The proposal would prohibit students from participating in a sport “that is designated for the biological sex opposite to the student’s biological sex as determined at the student’s birth.” By Shawn Mulcahy, The Texas Tribune Transgender students would be banned from competing on school sports teams based on their gender identity under a bill that…
Texas social workers will no longer be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ Texans and people with disabilities
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council voted unanimously to restore protections for social workers’ LGBTQ and disabled clients after backlash from advocates and lawmakers. By Edgar Walters, The Texas Tribune After backlash from lawmakers and advocates, a state board voted Tuesday to undo a rule change that would have allowed social workers to turn away…
Advocates take aim at Texas board’s decision to let social workers turn away LGBTQ clients
LGBTQ+ advocates and state lawmakers are mobilizing against the Texas State Board of Social Workers’ removal last week of protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and disability status from its code of conduct. During a Friday news conference organized by the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, advocates said they will pressure…
Texas Equity PAC Releases Lists of Endorsements for 2020 Election
Texas Equity PAC, the official political action committee of Equality Texas, released three lists of endorsements for the 2020 General Election. In their press release Texas Equity explains, “Endorsements are only done for Texas races. Senate and House endorsements are based on the following factors: Authorship or co-authorship of legislation that supports full lived equality…
Pro-LGBTQ Bills Look Dead in the Texas House, but Advocates Say They’ve Made Progress
“Having a hearing is sometimes a victory,” said state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, whose conversion therapy ban was debated for the first time this year. By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune In every session since she was elected to the Texas House, state Rep. Celia Israel has taken aim at the controversial practice of conversion…
Texas Senate Approves SB 17, a Bill LGBTQ Advocates Call a “License to Discriminate”
The bill passed on a 19–12 vote, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat voting for it. It requires one more approval in the Senate before it heads to the Texas House. By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune After emotional testimony, a forceful show of opposition from leaders in the state’s business community…
Texas Democrats Line Up Pro-LGBT Bills as State Legislature Opening Day Arrives
With the January 8 opening day at hand, Democratic members of the State Legislature have been lining up bills which would help enhance the rights of LGBT Texans. Unlike in the previous legislative session, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s “bathroom bill” was a priority for Republicans, this year no such bill has yet been filed.…
From the Archives: VICTORY! SA City Council Passes Nondiscrimination Ordinance
Originally published in QSanAntonio, September 5, 2013 (Editor’s note: Today marks the fifth anniversary of the passage of the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance.) Despite loud and vocal opposition from Christian extremists, the San Antonio City Council on September 5 passed a nondiscrimination ordinance that includes protections for LGBT citizens and veterans. The vote was eight in…
Jade Esteban Estrada: Clear the Aisle – Texas State Rep. Ina Minjarez Is Crossing It
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. State Rep. Ina Minjarez hesitates before posting a photo on social media of the taco she’s about to eat. Though her Facebook page is personable, and the essence of her personality comes across in her posts, she admits sharing online is hard because she’s an introvert who enjoyed…