House Bill 239, which echoes a bathroom bill that failed in 2017, includes new provisions for shelters and prisons.
bathroom bill
Posted in
LGBTQ+ Texans
Odessa bans transgender people from using restrooms that don’t match sex assigned at birth
LGBTQ+ advocates called the ban one of the most extreme measures enacted by a local government.
Posted in
State Government
In 75th lawsuit against Biden, Paxton sues to stop new gender identity guidelines for employers
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton aims new lawsuit at Biden Administration to halt compliance of gender identity mandates in the workplace.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2023
When showing up at the Texas Capitol made a difference
Readers sometimes ask us if the outcomes in governing are predetermined and whether civic engagement makes a difference. There are plenty of examples of Texans influencing lawmakers’ decisions.
Posted in
Texas 2022 Elections
LGBTQ Texans voting with marriage, worker protections and trans rights in mind
The Texas Tribune spoke with LGBTQ voters, the parents of queer youth and advocates from across the state about what’s at stake for them this November.
Posted in
Politics
How Texas Republicans moved beyond a bathroom bill to successfully restrict transgender athletes’ participation in school sports
In 2017, conservative lawmakers failed to pass legislation targeting transgender Texans. Things were different this year.
Posted in
Politics
Texas lawmakers want to add more LGTBQ safeguards after U.S. Supreme Court guarantees workplace protections
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.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas Senate flushed with success
In a session where middle-of-the-road issues like school finance and teacher pay dominate the conversation, the Texas Senate has returned to familiar — and conservative — ground.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Senate approves occupational licensing bill LGBTQ advocates call a “license to discriminate”
The bill passed on a 19–12 vote, with one Republican voting against it and one Democrat voting for it. It requires one more approval in the Senate before it heads to the Texas House.
Posted in
Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Texas lawmakers haven’t sworn off culture wars after all
The Texas Legislature is trying to focus on school finance and property taxes. But flashier, more divisive political fights beckon.