By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune July 18, 2017 There’s a slight sense of déjà vu at the Texas Capitol. Legislative proposals to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans are rolling in. LGBT advocates are fiercely denouncing them as discriminatory. Fearing economic fallout, business groups and corporations are rallying in opposition. And the leaders of…
Texas Supreme Court Throws Out Ruling That Favored Same-Sex Marriage Benefits
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune June 30, 2017 Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout. The Texas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a lower court ruling that said spouses of gay and lesbian public employees are entitled to government-subsidized same-sex marriage benefits. The state’s highest civil court ordered a trial court to…
T-Shirt Sale Raises Funds to Fight Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill
Omaze, a company that raises funds for nonprofits, and Equality Texas are teaming up on a fundraiser to help fight the anti-trans bathroom bill, which will be considered during the special session of the Texas Legislature, by selling t-shirts that read, “You can pee next to me.” The t-shirt sale is part of a campaign…
Texas lawmakers, “bathroom bill” opponents prepare for round two
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune June 6, 2017 Among the Elder family’s dinnertime conversations last year was nailing down which sports their son Ben wanted to try out over the summer. This summer, another conversation topic — whether their 11-year-old transgender son will lose the right to use the boys’ bathroom at school —…
Patrick, Straus deadlocked over “bathroom bill”
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 26, 2017 Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout. The Texas Legislature appears to be at a stalemate on a “bathroom bill” that could push the legislative session into overtime. Refusing to go any further to regulate bathroom use for transgender Texans, House Speaker Joe Straus said…
Texas House approves bathroom restrictions for transgender students
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 21, 2017 Editor’s note: This story has been updated throughout. Amid threats of a special legislative session over the “bathroom bill,” the Texas House on Sunday took a last-minute vote to approve a proposal that would keep transgender students from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity.…
“Bathroom Bill” in House Misses Key Deadline — But Issue Stays Alive
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 8, 2017 A proposal to gut cities and school districts’ trans-inclusive bathroom policies did not advance in the House ahead of a crucial deadline, nixing the measure’s chances of getting a vote by the full chamber. But that doesn’t mean that the issue itself is dead. Up against…
Texas Faith Leaders Come Out Against Bills Targeted at LGBT Texans
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 3, 2017 Prayer is a staple of the Texas Capitol, where lawmakers begin each legislative day with an invocation and bowed heads. But on Wednesday, about 50 faith leaders of various denominations lined the stairs outside the Texas House in protest. Their prayer was silent, but their message…
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Supports “House Companion” to “Bathroom Bill”
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune April 28, 2017 HOUSTON — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick expressed support Friday for “a House companion” to the Texas Senate’s “bathroom bill” that has been one of his biggest priorities this session. “Senate Bill 6 — or a House companion — we need to pass,” Patrick said during remarks…
Texas Gov. Abbott Signals Support for “Bathroom Bill” from Texas House
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune April 18, 2017 Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling support for House legislation that some hope will serve as an alternative to the Senate’s “bathroom bill.” In a statement Tuesday, Abbott called the House alternative developed by state Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, a “thoughtful proposal.” The revised version of Simmons’…