The Florida law prohibits teachers from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity to kids below the fourth grade. By Brian Lopez and Emily Hernandez, The Texas Tribune Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday he will prioritize passing Texas legislation that mimics the recently signed Florida bill referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. That…
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Advances Bills by Two Anti-LGBT Senators
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has advanced two bills in the Senate that would allow professionals who provide health and counseling services to discriminate based on their “sincerely held religious beliefs.” The first bill, SB 444, which was introduced by Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock), applies to anyone holding or applying for a professional license. The…
Preparing Our Community for the Trump Years
By Justin P. Nichols, Guest Contributor This election didn’t end the way many people wanted, and even more didn’t expect. I’m not one to scream “the sky is falling,” but for the LGBT community, particularly the trans community, I’m saddened to predict cloudy skies with a strong chance of thunderstorms come 2017. We don’t know…
Doggett Denounces GOP Tactics in House Vote That Allows LGBT Discrimination
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin-San Antonio) is speaking out about the tactics used by House Republicans in a May 19 vote to retain a provision embedded in a defense bill that could potentially allow discrimination against the LGBT employees of federal contractors in the name of religious freedom. “Earlier today, not only did House Republicans vote…
Equality Texas Takes on Proposed ‘Religious Liberty’ Legislation
Despite support from more and more Americans for LGBT equality, Texas’ Republican politicians are still doing everything they can to thwart progress in the Lone Star State. This week in Austin, Steve Rudner, Chairman of the Board of Equality Texas, testified against several dozen pieces of anti-LGBT legislation referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee…