In 2017, conservative lawmakers failed to pass legislation targeting transgender Texans. Things were different this year. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune For state Rep. Celia Israel, the priority issues for the Legislature this year seemed quite obvious as the legislative session got underway in January. She expected lawmakers to grapple over the state’s response…
Members of Texas House LGBTQ Caucus named to key leadership positions
In the opening days of the 87th Legislative Session, members of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus were named to several key positions including Speaker Pro Tem, five chair, and 12 vice chairs positions. The Texas House LGBTQ Caucus was formed in January 2019 to “create a forum for Texas legislators to discuss issues that affect…
Texas LGBTQ Candidates Fare Well in Democratic Primary
Out In SA has been following 11 Democratic Primary races with LGBTQ candidates in Texas: two U.S. Congressional races and nine for seats in the Texas House. Of that total, only one candidate will not go on to either the May runoffs or the November election. Some of these candidates ran unopposed. Following is our…
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…
Texas House Passes Religious Liberty Bill Amid LGBTQ Caucus’ Objections
What started as a sweeping religious refusals bill has been significantly watered down as it moves through the Texas Legislature. But LGBTQ advocates still fiercely oppose it, saying it perpetuates hateful rhetoric. By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune Over the tearful opposition of the Legislature’s first-ever LGBTQ Caucus and several failed attempts at a procedural…
Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Announces Legislative Focus, Adds New Members
In a press conference on February 5 at the Texas Capitol, the five founding members of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus revealed their legislative agenda and announced that caucus membership has quadrupled. “I am so excited about the first Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Press Conference, which we hosted this morning,” state Rep. Mary González, who…
The Texas Legislature Now Has Its First LGBTQ Caucus
Five Democratic legislators serving in the Texas House of Representative have formed the State Legislature’s first-ever LGBTQ Caucus. The new caucus is composed of veteran lawmakers Rep. Mary Gonzalez of El Paso, Rep. Celia Israel of Austin and newly-elected members Jessica Gonzalez of Dallas, Julie Johnson of Carrollton and Erin Zwiener of Driftwood. The caucus…
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.…
State Rep. Celia Israel Submits Bill Banning Conversion Therapy
State Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin) of Texas House District 50 has filed a bill banning conversion therapy for consideration during the next session of the Texas Legislature which begins in January. Conversation therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is psychotherapy aimed at changing a person’s homosexuality, based on the view that homosexuality is a mental…
More LGBTQ Texans than ever are running for office, magazine says
By Rishika Dugyala, The Texas Tribune January 24, 2018 A self-described “gun-toting, truck-driving, true Republican,” Shannon McClendon avidly followed state politics and served as a five-time appointee for various boards under former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. But until now, she never pushed herself to run for elected office. “I’m a Republican who happens to be…