{"id":89926,"date":"2019-06-05T16:25:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-05T20:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/voices-of-equality-voters-heard-loud-and-clear-during-2019-texas-legislative-session\/"},"modified":"2019-06-05T16:25:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-05T20:25:28","slug":"voices-of-equality-voters-heard-loud-and-clear-during-2019-texas-legislative-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/voices-of-equality-voters-heard-loud-and-clear-during-2019-texas-legislative-session\/","title":{"rendered":"Voices of Equality Voters Heard Loud and Clear During 2019 Texas Legislative Session"},"content":{"rendered":"

Voices of Equality Voters Heard Loud and Clear During 2019 Texas Legislative Session<\/b>
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Post submitted by HRC Texas State Director Rebecca Marques<\/em><\/p>\n

As the 2019 legislative session in Texas comes to a close, HRC looks back with pride on accomplishing some significant milestones for equality in the Lone Star State<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When the the Texas legislature last met in 2017, both the regular and special sessions were incredibly toxic for the LGBTQ community. Although the divisive and hateful \u201cbathroom bill\u201d<\/a> ultimately did not pass, the rhetoric around it and other discriminatory bills forced LGBTQ Texans to share their deeply personal and private stories in the public eye again and again. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Determined to prevent a repeat of the painful 2017 session, HRC devoted significant resources to weakening the far-right\u2019s hold on the Texas House in the 2018 elections. Joined by our state partners and thousands of voters who oppose discrimination, the election results<\/a> sent a clear message that hate is not a Texas value<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u2b50\ufe0fTEXAS: Join @HRC<\/a> and our local partners, including the Texas Freedom Network, on March 18 for Equality Lobby Day and help us urge the #TXLeg<\/a> to pass laws that protect all communities. \ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufffd\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Sign up here: t.co\/KqDzKTwOAv<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gJTTjmSrYG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 7, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pro-equality Democrats gained 12 seats and many far-right legislators, including the House sponsors of the \u201cbathroom bill,\u201d were defeated or had extremely close victories. Pro-LGBTQ Republican Rep. Sarah Davis ran on a pro-equality platform and successfully defended challenges from both parties to win re-election.<\/p>\n

And, for the first time, Texas had enough out members to form an LGBTQ Caucus<\/a> led by five women<\/a>: Reps. Julie Johnson, Jessica Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>, Mary Gonz\u00e1lez<\/a>, Celia Israel and Erin Zweiner.<\/p>\n

Heading into the 2019 session, the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric seen in the prior session decreased but legislative threats remained present. Despite leadership\u2019s stated intention to focus on tax reform, school funding and other priority issues, there were still 23 anti-LGBTQ bills filed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Major threats to equality<\/a> centered around:<\/p>\n