State Rep. Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) has filed a bill in the Texas House that would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. HB 850, which was filed on January 16, would add LGBTQ protections to current state law that only covers race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin or age.…
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…
Dan Patrick dismisses need for bathroom bill in 2019: “It’s been settled and I think we won.”
By Emma Platoff, The Texas Tribune At a Governor’s Mansion press conference on the second day of this year’s legislative session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who last session was the top state leader championing the measure, which would have regulated the use of certain public facilities for transgender Texans — suggested there’s no need…
Texas Democrats Line Up Pro-LGBT Bills as State Legislature Opening Day Arrives
With the January 8 opening day at hand, Democratic members of the State Legislature have been lining up bills which would help enhance the rights of LGBT Texans. Unlike in the previous legislative session, when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s “bathroom bill” was a priority for Republicans, this year no such bill has yet been filed.…
State Rep. Diego Bernal is Glad You Finally Think Public Ed Is Cool
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. I’m sitting across from Democratic State Rep. Diego Bernal and he’s telling me that his mother and I are neck and neck in tracking his whole political career. In honor of the holiday season, I thought I’d demand a recount. Bernal became this column’s inaugural subject in 2011,…
State Rep. Celia Israel Submits Bill Banning Conversion Therapy
State Rep. Celia Israel (D-Austin) of Texas House District 50 has filed a bill banning conversion therapy for consideration during the next session of the Texas Legislature which begins in January. Conversation therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is psychotherapy aimed at changing a person’s homosexuality, based on the view that homosexuality is a mental…
State Rep. Diego Bernal Files Two Pro-LGBT Bills Ahead of Next Legislative Session
State Representative Diego Bernal of San Antonio has filed two pro-LGBT bills ahead of the 86th session of the Texas Legislature which convenes on January 8, 2019. Bernal has so far authored 26 bills covering a variety of issues. The first of the two LGBT bills, HB 188, relates to the “prohibition of housing discrimination…
Rep. Mary González Says She’s Taking the High Road After Rep. Pat Fallon Mocked Her Sexuality
By Julián Aguilar, The Texas Tribune State Rep. Mary González said Wednesday that a Republican colleague who publicly mocked her sexual identity earlier this week has apologized to her. González, a Democrat from Clint, identifies as pansexual — someone who is attracted to other people regardless of gender or sexual identity. On Monday, state Rep.…
During Debate, Gov. Abbott Says Bathroom Bill No Longer on His Agenda
During the first and only gubernatorial debate with his opponent, former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said passing a bathroom bill was “not on my agenda,” marking a change from the position he held during the last session of the state legislature. Valdez, the first openly LGBT major party candidate for…
Jade Esteban Estrada: Clear the Aisle – Texas State Rep. Ina Minjarez Is Crossing It
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. State Rep. Ina Minjarez hesitates before posting a photo on social media of the taco she’s about to eat. Though her Facebook page is personable, and the essence of her personality comes across in her posts, she admits sharing online is hard because she’s an introvert who enjoyed…