Student activists, professors and community members have rallied to oppose Wilson’s nomination, citing her anti-LGBTQ voting record. By Arya Sundaram, The Texas Tribune Earlier this month, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson was chosen as the next president of the University of Texas at El Paso, with President Donald Trump’s Twitter blessings and praise. But over…
A Fight Over Paid Sick Leave is Turning Into a Fight Over LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Ordinances
A now-erased provision in Senate Bill 15 explicitly said a potential new state law would not supersede local non-discrimination ordinances. Without that language, many LGBTQ advocates fear Texans could be exposed to some discriminatory employment practices. By Alex Samuels, Texas Tribune What started as seemingly simple state legislation hailed as good for Texas businesses is…
Houston Judge Tosses Same-Sex Marriage Benefits Challenge, but Plaintiffs Pledge to Appeal
A newly elected Democratic judge issued the decision in the latest turn of a 2013 legal challenge to Houston’s policy extending benefits to municipal employees’ same-sex spouses. By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune A Houston judge has thrown out the six-year-old lawsuit a pair of Houston taxpayers filed to keep the city from paying spousal…
Dan Patrick dismisses need for bathroom bill in 2019: “It’s been settled and I think we won.”
By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune At a Governor’s Mansion press conference on the second day of this year’s legislative session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who last session was the top state leader championing the measure, which would have regulated the use of certain public facilities for transgender Texans — suggested there’s no need…
Julián Castro Forms Presidential Exploratory Committee, Sets Jan. 12 Announcement
The former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor took another step toward a 2020 presidential run Wednesday. By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune SAN ANTONIO – Julián Castro is taking another step toward a 2020 presidential campaign. The former housing secretary and San Antonio mayor announced Wednesday that he has formed an exploratory committee,…
Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones Concedes in Close Congressional Race Against Will Hurd
Almost two weeks have passed since the election, but Jones had been holding out hope and waiting to see all outstanding ballots counted. By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones conceded Monday in her challenge to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, ensuring a third term for Hurd in his perennial battleground district.…
In Texas, the “Rainbow Wave” Outpaces the Blue One
Fourteen of 35 LGBTQ candidates won their races Tuesday night, and activists say the 2018 election will carve a path for a future “rainbow wave” in Texas. by Hannah Wiley, The Texas Tribune Fourteen of the 35 gay, bisexual and transgender candidates who ran for office in Texas during the midterms claimed victory Tuesday night…
Trailing GOP U.S. Rep. Will Hurd by 689 votes, Gina Ortiz Jones Campaign Says Texas Race “Is Not Over”
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes, is looking to hold on to the 23rd District. His opponent is Gina Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force intelligence officer who is openly LGBTQ. Updated: November 7, 2018, 1:00 p.m. By Teo Armus, The Texas Tribune The Texas congressional race between incumbent Republican Will Hurd and Democratic challenger Gina…
Rep. Mary González Says She’s Taking the High Road After Rep. Pat Fallon Mocked Her Sexuality
By Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune State Rep. Mary González said Wednesday that a Republican colleague who publicly mocked her sexual identity earlier this week has apologized to her. González, a Democrat from Clint, identifies as pansexual — someone who is attracted to other people regardless of gender or sexual identity. On Monday, state Rep.…
Texas LGBTQ Advocates Aren’t Worried About Challenges to Austin’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance
The advocates say lawsuits challenging the city’s code prohibiting employers from discriminating against an “individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability” won’t hold up in court. By Matt Zdun, Texas Tribune After two conservative Christian groups filed lawsuits against the city of Austin over the past week challenging…