We all know voting matters. Our elected officials have direct impacts on our lives, especially at the local level. But being transgender can often lead to anxiety when it is time to cast your vote. I’m lucky enough to have voted without incident for several years, but I know that many in our community can’t…
Community Groups Plan DreamWeek Events
Now in its sixth year, DreamWeek, which this year takes place from January 5 to 20, is a series of events that focus on fostering “the free exchange of ideas on universal issues affecting the human race.” The ultimate goal of DreamWeek is to advance “the voices of tolerance, equality and diversity.” Over 150 events…
Allies United: DeAnne Cuellar-Cintron & Louis Cintron Jr.
DeAnne Cuellar-Cintron & Louis Cintron Jr. Two-thirds of the way in, DeAnne Cuellar-Cintron and her partner Louis Cintron Jr. confessed that they worried our interview would seem boring. To them, their reasons for being longstanding allies to the local LGBTQ community were simple. “We got heavily involved with the LGBTQ community when we were younger…
Openly Gay Interim County Judge Appointed in El Paso
El Paso County Commissioners last week voted to replace County Judge Veronica Escobar, who is leaving to run for Congress, with her openly-gay chief of staff. Ruben John Vogt, who was chosen interim county judge in a 4-1 vote on October 2, becomes the second openly-gay person to hold the title of County Judge in…
Trump Judicial Nominee from Texas Says Trans Kids Are Part of ‘Satan’s Plan’
One of President Donald Trump’s nominees for a federal judgeship in Texas is a notorious homophobe who supports conversion therapy, says marriage equality will lead to polygamy and bestiality, and maintains that trans kids are evidence of “Satan’s plan.” Jeff Mateer currently serves as the first assistant attorney general of Texas, a position he has…
Supporting Transgender Kids Is Child Abuse Says Texas State Rep
A state representative from McKinney, Texas says that transgender children are mentally ill and letting them express their gender identities is tantamount to child abuse. The remarks were made by state Rep. Scott Sanford during a panel discussion on bathroom privacy legislation which was produced by CBS DFW (KTVT-TV) and streamed on Facebook Live on…
Anti-LGBT Bills Filed a Week Before Special Legislative Session
On July 10, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation calling members of the State Legislature to a Special Legislative Session which is set to begin on July 18. Within hours of the governor’s announcement, two lawmakers filed three bills which would affect transgender Texans’ bathroom use and threaten the protections LGBT citizens have under…
In Recently-Released Video, Texas Dad Defends Transgender Son
A video released by Equality Texas last week features a dad from Little Elm, Texas speaking out in support for his 15-year-old transgender son during the State Legislature’s 85th Legislative Session earlier this year. In the video, which was recorded in January during the debate on the proposed bathroom bill, Ken Ballard says, “I was…
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 Governor Signs Bill Denying Adoption to Same-Sex Couples
Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed House Bill 3859 on June 15, allowing faith-based adoption agencies to deny placement of foster children with same-sex couples, Jews, Muslims and others based on “the provider’s sincerely held religious beliefs.” The bill was authored by Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls), vice chairman of the House Human Services Committee. According…