GLAAD President & CEO: Abbott will have blood on his hands if anti-trans bill is signed into law

Announcement follows 2017 Texas Session, which included numerous bills targeted at marginalized communities, including LGBTQ Texans

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott today for pursuing a dangerous agenda with his announcement for a special session at the Texas State Capitol. This agenda includes passing a so-called anti-trans “bathroom bill” which openly targets and discriminates against transgender Texans for living their lives according to their gender identity. The so-called “bathroom bill” has already received negative attention as some of the nation’s top business CEOs, including Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook, have denounced any sort of discriminatory, anti-trans legislation.

This special session announcement follows what was a “discrimination session” against marginalized communities across the state, including LGBTQ Texans. From shoving through HB 3859 – which allows adoption agencies to use religion as a weapon to deny LGBTQ families the ability to adopt a child – to signing a ban on “sanctuary cities” into law, policy that could potentially harm LGBTQ immigrants, the Texas Capitol has promoted an out-of-touch agenda at the expense of the state’s most vulnerable.

“Governor Greg Abbott is proving everything is bigger in Texas including prioritizing discrimination. If the governor moves forward with this harmful legislation against trans students, LGBTQ people, businesses, and fair-minded Texans will respond in Texas style – Big,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “Trans Texans have experienced harassment and threats because of this last session and if any anti-trans bills get signed into law, then Governor Abbott’s legacy will be turning Texas into a state known for harming some its most marginalized people.”

GLAAD has been on the frontlines with local LGBTQ organizations like Equality Texas and the Texas Freedom Network to help stop discriminatory and harmful anti-LGBTQ bills at the Texas Capitol. In April, GLAAD coordinated “Students Against Hate” rallies where college students from many campuses across Texas came together to show their disapproval to the anti-LGBTQ bills that were currently in Austin. Rallies were held in Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.

Further, GLAAD worked with Equality Texas to push for inclusive airtime during a recent town hall debate hosted by a local television affiliate in San Antonio. After it appeared there was not a balance between pro-LGBTQ voices and the opposition, GLAAD called on the local television station to dedicate future coverage to include pro-trans stories for their viewers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: TIMELINE – The 2017 “Discrimination Session” at the Texas State Capitol  

1.05.17: Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and State Senator Lois Kolkhorst unveil Senate Bill 6, a bill aimed at blocking transgender access to public accommodations in public schools, universities, and government buildings.  

1.15.17: House Speaker Joe Straus issues warning of the economic threat of such a discriminatory bill as SB 6: “We should be very careful about doing something that would make Texas less competitive for investments, jobs, and the highly skilled workforce needed to compete.”

3.06.17: Lt. Gov Patrick recruits anti-LGBTQ hate groups, Vision America and Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council to help push for the passage of SB 6 with the launch of “Operation One Million Voices.”

3.06.17: Rep. Simmons files House Bill 2899, an even harsher bathroom bill that bars transgender people’s access to public accommodations as well as invalidating existing local non-discrimination LGBTQ ordinances in Texas.

3.09.17: WOAI News 4 San Antonio airs a town hall on SB 6; with two members of known anti-LGBTQ hate groups and only one person who identified as LGBTQ, sparking GLAAD to team with Equality Texas and campaign for equal airtime for pro-trans voices.  

3.14.17: The Texas Senate passes SB 6 with a 21-10 vote; during the debate, the Democrats call the bill a solution in search of a problem that would lead to economic fallout.

3.24.17: House Speaker Straus again condemns SB 6, calling the bill “manufactured and unnecessary.” The House never takes up the bill.

4.19.17: Five hours of public testimony heard on HB 2899, with 369 people registering to speak in opposition of the anti-LGBTQ bill. After the testimony, the bill was left pending in committee until the end of the legislative session.

4.25.17: Student Against Hate Rallies held across the state of Texas to speak out against SB 6 and HB 2899 and other anti-LGBTQ legislation. These rallies were organized by GLAAD, the Texas Freedom Network, Equality Texas, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), ACLU of Texas, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT)

5.16.17: Gov. Abbott called the “bathroom bill” must pass piece of legislation and one of his top priorities for the remaining weeks of the legislative session.

5.17.17: Lt. Gov Patrick issues a threat to force a special session over the so-called bathroom bill: “I will ask the governor to call us back again and again and again.”

5.22.17: The Texas House successfully adds an anti-trans amendment to Senate Bill 2078 that would restrict bathroom access to K-12 transgender students in TX public schools.

5.25.17: The Texas Senate refuses to concur with SB 2078 as amended by the house; this disagreement is not addressed before the end of the legislative session.

5.26.17: Lt. Gov Patrick takes five state agency bills hostage in order to force a special session and include SB 6 or HB 2899. One of these, the arcane “sunset” bill, failed to pass before the end of the session.

5.29.17: Regular session of the 85th Legislature adjourns.

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This month, we celebrate LGBTQ Pride month in order to honor the LGBTQ community and commemorate our history. GLAAD has partnered with streaming service Sundance Now to release a curated collection of LGBTQ-inclusive films that have helped to create cultural change by connecting with audiences worldwide.  GLAAD members can try Sundance Now free for 30 days! Sign up using code GLAAD by June 30, and check out the full collection.

These films showcase LGBTQ stories and helped audiences to learn about LGBTQ experiences, as well as allowed LGBTQ individuals to see themselves included in society. Check out some of the films and documentaries below that are part of the collection, and check out the full listing on Sundance Now!

Brother Outsider (2003)

This documentary honors the life and impact of openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, often called “the unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. Directed by Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer, the film focuses on the crucial role of Rustin’s work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and as the architect of the 1963 March on Washington as well as his simultaneous ostracization due to being an out gay man at that time. Brother Outsider was the recipient of the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary at the 15^th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

How to Survive a Plague (2012)

Directed by out filmmaker David France, How to Survive a Plague tells the story of the early years of the HIV and AIDS epidemic and the efforts of two activist groups – ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) – to put pressure on the medical establishment following its deadly, insufficient response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. France describes the documentary as a tribute to the members of the LGBTQ community who fought for government response to the AIDS crisis. How to Survive a Plague was an Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature in 2012 and was awarded the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. National Geographic is currently developing a scripted miniseries based on France’s work.

The Way He Looks (2014)

The Way He Looks presents the coming of age story of Leo (Ghilherme Lobo), a blind, Brazilian teenager who struggles with independence. The story centers on Leo’s relationship with his best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim) and his attraction to new student, Gabriel (Fabio Audi). The Way He Looks was Brazil’s entry into the 2015 Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film category and was nominated for the GLAAD Media Award in Outstanding Film – Limited Release.

Weekend (2011)

Weekend tells the story of Russell (Tom Cullen) and Glen (Chris New), two men who meet at a gay club and form a relationship the weekend before Glen is set to move out of the country. What was expected to be a one-night stand turns into something unique and special that allows both men to reflect on their experiences.

This collection also includes GLAAD Media Award-nominated scripted films Aimée & Jaguar (1999), Blue is the Warmest Color (2013), Howl (2010), and Your Sister’s Sister (2012), as well as GLAAD Media Award nominated documentaries Chris & Don: A Love Story (2008), Southern Comfort (2001), and Valentine Road (2013). Be sure to share your favorites of these films with us in the comments!

In order to access the collection free of charge on Sundance Now during Pride Month, simply sign up for a free trial on the Sundance Now Website using the promotion code GLAAD. This provides you with an Extended 30 Day Free Trial to allow for access to the collection through the month of June. The offer expires on July 1^st, 2017.