Friday, March 15 was the deadline for filing bills for this session of the Texas Legislature and as expected, Republicans have unleashed a torrent of proposed legislation aimed a scaling back the rights of LGBTQ Texans. On March 18, Equality Texas released a list of “bad bills” and expressed particular concern for two bills: SB15…
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…
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.…
In Discussing SB6, Texas State Rep Cites ‘Dudes in Dresses’
On February 7, the Texas Tribune live-streamed a conversation with three first-time state representatives during which one of them said that allowing transgender people access to the bathroom of their choice encourages “dudes in dresses” to be beaten up. Participating in the event were Reps. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park), Justin Holland (R-Rockwall) and Victoria Neave…
Political Ad Suggests Candidate Is “Well Known” in Houston Gay Bars
The race for the Texas Legislature just hit a new low in the Republican runoff for Houston’s District 128. A flier linked to the campaign of 72-year-old incumbent state Rep. Wayne Smith was recently leaked to the media, insinuating his opponent, 31-year old Briscoe Cain is gay. The anti-LGBT flier features two men kissing in…