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…
Texas bill restricting transgender students’ participation in school sports headed to governor’s desk
A bill that marks the Texas GOP’s fourth attempt to pass legislation targeting the participation of transgender student athletes is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott for his signature. The bill, which would bar transgender youths from playing on school sports teams that align with their gender identity, cleared a final hurdle as the Texas House…
Texas bill restricting transgender student athletes’ sports participation sent back to the House with amendment
The bill is one step closer to the governor’s desk. If it becomes law, Texas will join at least five other states that have passed such legislation. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune In the final days of this year’s third special session, Texas lawmakers advanced a bill that would restrict transgender student athletes from…
State agency removed online resources for LGBTQ youth after complaints from a Republican challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, emails show
Democratic state senators want the webpage reinstated. The resources were removed after Don Huffines, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, criticized their inclusion on a state website. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune Texas’ child welfare agency removed a webpage that offered resources to LGBTQ youth following complaints by one of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s GOP primary…
Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered child abuse under Texas Senate bill
Senate Bill 1646 is among several other bills that advocacy groups say erode the rights of transgender Texans. But it’s unclear what the legislation’s chances are in the House, where another major bill targeting transgender children appears to have stalled. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune “Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered…
Texas Republicans want to keep transgender women out of women’s school sports teams
Lawmakers have filed legislation that would ban transgender girls and women who attend public K-12 schools, colleges and universities from playing on single-sex sports teams designated for girls and women. By Kate McGee and Aliyya Swaby, Texas Tribune Texas Republicans are again trying to limit the ways transgender youth can participate in athletics. Lawmakers have…
Equality Texas: ‘We dragged our feet in prioritizing the work to become an anti-racist organization’
Ricardo Martinez, CEO of Equality Texas, issued the following statement on June 5, 2020. A Promise to Become Anti-Racist As an LGBTQ+ organization we’ve assumed unity among our membership in solidarity of all marginalized groups and have often spoken on behalf of all of our members. But have we stood, fought, and cried loud enough…
San Antonio LGBTQIA+ Community Statement for Black Lives
The following statement was issued on June 3, 2020 by members, leaders and organizations from San Antonio’s LGBTQIA community. It is the beginning of Pride Month. As a community, we must always stand for what is just. Therefore, the undersigned LGBTQIA+ community members and leaders have come together to stand as a community in solidarity…
Community Cancellations and Disruptions Continue Amid Coronavirus Worries
Community organizations and businesses are postponing, canceling events and making adjustments amid worries about the cornavirus outbreak. Recent emergency rules instituted this week will make it harder to proceed with any large group events. On Tuesday, March 16, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued a public health emergency declaration which prohibits mass gatherings of 50…
Census 2020 Event Seeks to Make Sure All LGBTQ San Antonians Are Counted
The Thrive Youth Center and Pride Center San Antonio are working with the San Antonio Bexar County Complete Count Committee to make sure all LGBTQ residents are counted in the 2020 Census. To that end, a March 13 event at the Pride Center, dubbed Count Me In, will offer an opportunity for the LGBTQ community…