By Alex Samuels, The Texas Tribune May 11, 2017 The Senate sponsor of a bill meant to create statewide regulations for ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft said Thursday he has stripped a controversial amendment from it that would define “sex” as “the physical condition of being male or female.” The move comes after…
Texas House Approves Bill Allowing Denial of Adoption by Same-Sex Couples
On Tuesday, May 9, the Texas House approved House Bill 3859, which would allow 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, dubbed the “Freedom to Serve Children Act,” passed by a vote of 94 to 51.…
Texas Senate Approves Bill Disqualifying Trans Student Athletes on Hormone Therapy
State Senator Carlos Uresti of San Antonio was one of four Democrats who sided with Republican colleagues on the preliminary approval of a bill that lets the University Interscholastic League disqualify student athletes on steroids, including trans boys taking testosterone for gender dysphoria. Joining Uresti in approving Senate Bill 2095 on May 9 were fellow…
Lawmakers Engaged in ‘Unprecedented Effort’ to Roll Back Civil Rights For LGBTQ Texans
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. On Tuesday, the Texas House could debate and vote on a bill that would give state-funded adoption agencies the “religious freedom” to turn away LGBTQ parents. Other measures waiting for approval by Texas lawmakers would let county clerks deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples if doing so conflicts…
Texas Senate Passes Anti-Bullying Bill Named for SA Student
The Texas Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 179, legislation that cracks down on bullying in the state’s public schools. SB 179 was introduced in the Senate by State Senator Jose Menendez. In January, Menendez called for the passage of the bill saying, “Cyberbullying is a crisis in Texas and across the nation. Families need our…
Texas Faith Leaders Come Out Against Bills Targeted at LGBT Texans
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune May 3, 2017 Prayer is a staple of the Texas Capitol, where lawmakers begin each legislative day with an invocation and bowed heads. But on Wednesday, about 50 faith leaders of various denominations lined the stairs outside the Texas House in protest. Their prayer was silent, but their message…
Study Examines Impact of Discrimination on LGBT Texans
A recently released study by the Williams Institute finds that Texas laws and social climate contribute to an environment where LGBT adults experience stigma and discrimination in employment and other aspects of their life. Affected too are LGBT youth who are bullied in schools and rejected by their families. The study, The Impact of Stigma…
Texas Gov. Abbott Signals Support for “Bathroom Bill” from Texas House
By Patrick Svitek, The Texas Tribune April 18, 2017 Gov. Greg Abbott is signaling support for House legislation that some hope will serve as an alternative to the Senate’s “bathroom bill.” In a statement Tuesday, Abbott called the House alternative developed by state Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, a “thoughtful proposal.” The revised version of Simmons’…
New Study Renews Fears About Texas Bathroom Bill’s Financial Impacts
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune April 17, 2017 In the aftermath of one troubled study on the economic impact of a “bathroom bill” in Texas, San Antonio tourism officials are returning to the legislative debate with another dire financial outlook. Legislation viewed by many as discriminatory toward LGBT Texans — including proposals to regulate…
Senate Approves Recusals for County Clerks, Judges Objecting to Same-Sex Marriage
By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune April 11, 2017 The Texas Senate on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure allowing county clerks to recuse themselves from signing marriage licenses for same-sex couples because of religious objections. On a 21-10 vote, senators approved Senate Bill 522 by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, under which a county commissioners…