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 limiting transgender student athletes’ sports participation clears key hurdle on way to becoming law
A House committee approved the bill despite emotional testimony from parents of transgender Texas children. This is the fourth legislative session this year in which lawmakers targeted LGBTQ kids. By Allyson Waller, The Texas Tribune A Texas bill prohibiting transgender student athletes from joining school sports teams aligned with their gender identity is heading to…
Texas Lawmakers Want to Add More LGTBQ Safeguards After U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court makes clear that it violates federal law to fire an employee on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Now Texas lawmakers want to guarantee similar protections for LGBTQ Texans in housing, health care and other spheres. by Emma Platoff and Cassandra Pollock, The Texas Tribune…
Texas Progressive Leaders Praise U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on LGBTQ+ Civil Rights
The ruling carries special power in the Lone Star State, which is among those that doesn’t extend protections to workers based on their gay or transgender identities. However, some cities, including San Antonio, have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances. Democratic congressional candidate Gina Ortiz Jones, who’s running to represent a border district that also includes a slice…
SA Politicians Speak Out Against Proposed Anti-Trans Bill
Updated on Jan. 7 at 10:00 a.m. to include a statement by District 1 City Councilman Roberto Treviño. Four San Antonio politicians issued statements on January 6 opposing a bill (SB6) introduced by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst that would require Texas transgender citizens to use public bathrooms that correspond with…
Inclusive Environment Important to Keeping NCAA Tourney in SA
San Antonio civic leaders are concerned the 2017 session of the state legislature could enact new anti-LGBT laws which would stifle the ability to attract events like the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament which the city is scheduled to host in 2018. The discussion of the effects of such legislation was part of a presentation…
Texas Congressmen Sign Letter Admonishing LGBT-Friendly Companies
Over 100 members of Congress and senators who belong to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation have signed a letter admonishing executives of professional sports and entertainment companies who have opposed religious liberty legislation in various states. Among those signing the letter were 39 Texas politicians. According to its website, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation’s vision…
Texas Competes Pledge Reaches 500+ Signatures
Texas Competes, a coalition funded by Equality Texas, recently announced a major milestone after reaching more than 500 signatures (Google, Marriott, Whole Foods, American Airlines, IBM, Dell, SXSW and SeaWorld among them) from Texas business leaders committed to ensuring the protection and inclusion of LGBT people within the state’s varied businesses. The coalition believes that the state’s…
Texas Competes initiative securing statewide LGBT support in workplace
If you have a stomachache, you don’t wait until you have an ulcer to go to the doctor A few months ago, Indiana governor Mike Pence signed the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act. People in support of the act, which allows individuals and businesses to cite religious beliefs as a defense when sued by private…