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…
Time runs out on Texas House bill banning gender confirmation health care for kids, but another attempt lives on in the Senate
House Bill 1399 would have banned gender confirmation surgery, hormone therapy and puberty suppression treatments for Texas’ transgender children. By Megan Munce, The Texas Tribune A controversial bill that would ban gender affirming health care for transgender children missed a key deadline Thursday for consideration in the Texas House. But a similar Senate bill still…
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…
Rep. Garnet Coleman Seeks to Add Gender Identity to Texas Hate Crimes Law
State Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) held a press conference at the State Capitol on April 29 to announce he is introducing a bill to add gender identity to the list of protected classes in the state’s hate crimes law. The James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act was passed by the State Legislature in 2001. The…
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…
In Texas, the “Rainbow Wave” Outpaces the Blue One
Fourteen of 35 LGBTQ candidates won their races Tuesday night, and activists say the 2018 election will carve a path for a future “rainbow wave” in Texas. by Hannah Wiley, The Texas Tribune Fourteen of the 35 gay, bisexual and transgender candidates who ran for office in Texas during the midterms claimed victory Tuesday night…