Tag Archives: Jose Menendez

Keeping Track of Pro and Anti-LGBT Bills in Texas Legislature

Keeping Track of Pro and Anti-LGBT Bills in Texas Legislature

The 85th Texas Legislature opened on January 10, starting a 140-day work session with a Republican majority. So far this session, 17 pro-LGBT bills and four anti-LGBT bills have been filed. Among the bills proposed to benefit LGBT Texans is legislation repealing laws that are still on the books which punish homosexual conduct; prohibiting discrimination

Could an Anti-Cyberbullying Bill Do More Harm Than Good For Texas Kids?

Originally published in the San Antonio Current In December, a pair of San Antonio state lawmakers filed a bill to address what seems to be a universally agreed-upon menace: Cyberbullying. In particular, aggressive cyberbullying across social media platforms by school-aged kids — the kind that can push kids to commit suicide. But with its focus

Calls to Pass Cyberbullying Law on Anniversary of Student’s Death

Two San Antonio lawmakers are calling for the passage of an anti-bullying law named in honor of David Bartlett Molak, a 16-year-old Alamo Heights High School student who one year ago committed suicide after being bullied by classmates on social media over his physical appearance. To mark the first anniversary of Molak’s passing, State Senator

2016 In Review: Honorable & Dishonorable Mentions

HONORABLE MENTIONS Advocate and ally: State Senator Jose Menéndez Long-considered an ally, Senator Jose Menéndez has worked to advance legislation that is beneficial to the LGBT community. Recently, Equality Texas named him one of the top five senators on LGBT issues. In April 2015, Menéndez worked to help prevent the passage of Senate Bill 2065,

2016 In Review: A Year in the Life of LGBT SA

A select month-by-month recap of stories about our community reported here and elsewhere in 2016. JANUARY Rev. Mick Hinson to leave MCC SA Reverend Mick Hinson, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio announced he was resigning his position. Candidates line-up to speak at Stonewall Dems endorsement forum The Stonewall Democrats of San

Menéndez Files Medical Cannabis Bill

On December 6, State Senator Jose Menéndez of San Antonio filed Senate Bill 269 which would increase the number of patients who would have access to medical cannabis under the Texas Compassionate Use Program. Current state laws only allow patients suffering from intractable epilepsy the use of specific strains of medical cannabis. “Doctors, not politicians,

SA Lawmakers File Anti-Bullying Law

On November 14, State Senator Jose Menendez and State Representative Ina Minjarez will introduce a law aimed at preventing and combating cyber-bullying. The bill is being filed on the first day legislation can be introduced for consideration by the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. The new measure, dubbed David’s Law, is named after David

SA Small Businesses Join Effort Against LGBT Discrimination

Members of San Antonio’s small business community were on hand on October 25 for a press conference at the Havana Hotel where Equality Texas released a letter signed by over 200 small businesses from across the state voicing their opposition to any legislation which would legalize discrimination against LGBT Texans or visitors to Texas. Present

State Senator Jose Menendez: Advocate and Ally

On September 24, the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio honored state Senator Jose Menendez with the Political Advocacy Award, which is given annually to “an elected or appointed official who has made significant contributions toward the advancement of equality for LGBT persons at the local, state or national level.” The award was presented at Stonewall’s

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