How Texas activists turned drag events into fodder for outrage
The Tribune analyzed more than two dozen anti-drag protests. Opponents frequently characterized the drag events as catering to children, even when businesses advertised them as adults-only or provided warnings about the potential for explicit material.
Two Texas bills would restrict lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools
The legislation closely mirrors a Florida bill passed last year, dubbed by critics as the โDonโt Say Gayโ law, which detractors say would further isolate LGBTQ students and open teachers and school districts to legal risks.
Texas GOP lawmaker hires Christian nationalist who called for drag show attendees to be executed
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, hired Jake Neidert, 22, last month as his officeโs legislative director amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ violence and rhetoric and ahead of an impending legislative session that is expected to focus heavily on anti-trans bills.
Texasโ child welfare agency told staffers to keep quiet about gender-affirming care investigations, documents show
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services leaders instructed employees to avoid written communications about the cases and barred low-level employees from handling the investigations, according to internal agency communications.
Watch: With a โfeeling of betrayal,โ one family flees Texas in search of safer climate for their transgender daughter
Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care, driving one such family to leave home.
More Black Americans live in Texas than any other state. Two years after George Floydโs murder, many reconsider their future here.
In interviews, Black Texans expressed frustration over uneven progress, restrictions on teaching about racism in public schools and limitations on their political representation and voting access.
โWe failedโ: Gay Republicans who fought for acceptance in Texas GOP see little progress
Gay Republicans who have fought for acceptance within the Texas GOP over the past three decades told The Texas Tribune progress has been excruciatingly slow. Many of them have left the party, even as the number of Log Cabin Republicans in Texas continues to grow.
In Roe decision, Justice Clarence Thomas invites new legal challenges to contraception and same-sex marriage rights
Experts told The Texas Tribune that Thomasโ opinion signals an openness from the court to reconsidering other settled legal precedents related to rights the court has ruled are protected by the constitution.
After extremistsโ arrests in Idaho, LGBTQ Texans and Pride organizers balance safety with desire to celebrate their identities
Some LGBTQ Texans are trying to navigate plans to commemorate the catalyst of their civil rights movement with concerns about safety after 31 members of a Texas-based hate group were charged with conspiracy to riot at a Pride event in Idaho.
Biden signs order to protect transgender children as Texas continues efforts to restrict gender-affirming care
The executive order calls on the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to increase access to gender-affirming health care and develop ways to counter state efforts aimed at limiting such treatments for transgender minors.
Judge temporarily blocks some Texas investigations into gender-affirming care for trans kids
The state has been investigating whether parents who provide access to gender-affirming health care are committing child abuse. The temporary restraining order is part of a lawsuit filed on behalf of three families and members of PFLAG, an LGBTQ advocacy group.
Texas health providers are suspending gender-affirming care for teens in response to GOP efforts
Hospitals across the state have already started restricting critical treatment as health care providers fear legal consequences and worry they could lose their medical licenses. Meanwhile, teenagers are already leaving the state to get care or avoiding medical care altogether.
Texasโ child welfare agency ordered to investigate trans kidsโ families has been in crisis for years
The Department of Family and Protective Services has been under federal court monitoring for over a decade for violating the civil rights of kids in foster care. Now, the short-staffed agency has to investigate parents who provide their children with gender-affirming care.
Apple, Google among dozens of corporations condemning Texasโ order to investigate families of trans kids
The letter, published as a full-page ad in The Dallas Morning News, was also signed by Salesforce, Johnson & Johnson, Dow and Capital One. The companies said they do business, create jobs and serve customers in Texas and are committed to creating safe communities for LGBTQ people.
Fighting care for transgender kids shifts from a fringe issue to a litmus test for Texas Republicans
The issue is no longer contained to just the partyโs fringes โ and it is unlikely to go away any time soon as the national fervor grows, Gov. Greg Abbottโs directive faces legal challenges and it factors prominently into a slew of GOP primary runoffs.
โLeft out of the conversationโ: Transgender Texans feel the impact of stateโs restrictive abortion law
While Texasโ controversial abortion law strictly refers to women in its phrasing, it also limits access to the procedure for transgender and nonbinary people who are able to become pregnant.
Restrictions on transgender student athletesโ participation in school sports signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott
House Bill 25 will require student athletes who compete in interscholastic competition to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate at or near their time of birth.
Texas House approves bill targeting transgender student athletes after lawmakers' three previous attempts faltered
Under House Bill 25, K-12 student athletes would be prohibited from competing on school sports teams aligned with their gender identity. The bill will now head to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
State agency removed online resources for LGBTQ youth after complaints from a Republican challenging Gov. Greg Abbott, emails show
Democratic state senators want the webpage reinstated. The resources were removed after Don Huffines, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, criticized their inclusion on a state website.
Texas bill limiting transgender student athletesโ sports participation clears key hurdle on way to becoming law
A House committee approved the bill despite emotional testimony from parents of transgender Texas children. This is the fourth legislative session this year in which lawmakers targeted LGBTQ kids.
Texas bill restricting transgender student athletesโ sports participation has enough votes to pass, House Speaker Dade Phelan says
Three times this year โ in the regular session and in two subsequent special sessions โ legislation targeting transgender student athletes sailed through the Senate only to falter in the House.
Texas sues Biden administration over guidance saying transgender workers can use bathroom of their choice
A federal document also says that misusing a personโs preferred pronouns could be considered harassment in some instances. Texas Republican officials have tried to pass state laws targeting transgender peopleโs access to bathrooms and school sports teams.
Gov. Greg Abbott calls special legislative session for redistricting, other conservative priorities starting Sept. 20
On top of redistricting, Abbott wants lawmakers to take up bills on restrictions for transgender student athletes and the allocation of billions of dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Texasโ second special session of the year is over. Here are five things you need to know.
Lawmakers will return to Austin at least one more time this year to redraw the state's political maps. Only Gov. Greg Abbott knows when that will be and if there will be additional special sessions beyond that.
GOP's so-called critical race theory bill advances as bill to restrict transgender student athletes stalls in House committee
The committee action came less than 24 hours after Dutton had taunted Patrick, threatening to hold his prized legislation back amid rumors that the Senate was stalling a bill to restore funding to the Legislature.
Targeting surgeries rarely used on kids, Gov. Greg Abbott asks state agency to determine if gender affirming care is child abuse
Medical experts say gender affirming care for transgender children rarely, if ever, includes use of the surgeries Abbott cited in his letter to the head of the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
What is gender-affirming medical care for transgender children? Hereโs what you need to know.
Gender-affirming care, which leading health care organizations in Texas say is the best way to provide care to transgender children, is emerging as a top target of state Republicans and lies at the heart of brewing political and legal battles.
Baylor University stirs anger and confusion as it opens the door for first LGBTQ student group
The decision to openly consider recognizing an LGBTQ group while simultaneously affirming the university's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman raised concerns among supporters and opponents who say Baylor is trying to "have its cake and eat it, too."
Open Court: Learn about civil courts; Get to know Judge Mary Lou Alvarez; Should the Pride flag be allowed in a courtroom?
Hi and welcome to the third edition of the Open Court newsletter. Iโm KSAT journalist Erica Hernandez. Iโm writing this free newsletter every other week and when big news breaks.
Speaker Dade Phelan once criticized anti-LGBTQ efforts. Now heโs signaling support for a bill targeting transgender Texans.
Democrats supported Phelan for House speaker, reassured he would avoid controversial social issues that target LGBTQ Texans. They say theyโre disappointed he is now signaling support for bill targeting transgender student athletes.
Texas GOPโs bills targeting transgender children have exacted a mental health toll, even if they donโt become law
As the clock ticks on this year's legislative session, the House scheduled a Tuesday floor debate for a bill that would limit transgender children's sports team participation. Other GOP bills that would restrict or punish transition-related health care, like puberty blockers, missed a key Sunday deadline to advance.
Vengeance or politics? Democrat Harold Dutton explains why he advanced bill targeting transgender athletes, other GOP priorities
As a powerful committee chairman, Dutton could have bottled up legislation that Democrats opposed. Instead, critics say, heโs pushed through Republican bills that Democrats find objectionable.
North Side man believes politically motivated vandal targeting home is becoming more dangerous
This was the first of the three messages that Tom Cox says a vandal spray-painted outside his home. Cox believes the messages are becoming more personal and disturbing. (KSAT 12 News)Cox says the attacks feel more personal now, and he suspects they could have more to do with his sexual orientation rather than his political affiliation. Cox believes what that flag symbolizes could be what is setting off the vandal. A public information officer with SAPD told KSAT 12 News on Tuesday morning that the reported crimes are still under investigation.
San Antonio archbishop says he expects Pope Francis will โclarify commentsโ on same-sex unions
SAN ANTONIO โ Some San Antonio Catholics, including the archbishop, are weighing in on Pope Francis' remarks on homosexuality and same-sex civil unions. Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unionsRon Bayes, a Catholic, told KSAT he agrees with the popeโs statement. โHowever, according to the word of God, that is not acceptable.โDuring the documentary interview, Pope Francis also discussed same-sex civil unions. โThat way, they are legally covered.โSan Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcรญa-Siller issued the following statement:"I have not seen the documentary film โFrancesco,โ which premiered October 21 in Rome. "According to news reports I have read, Pope Francis spoke briefly in the film regarding civil unions.
Poland criticized in EU Parliament over courts, LGBT rights
Aguilar told lawmakers that Poland appears to be moving away from European fundamental values and called the situation โextremely concerning." Poland has repeatedly been scrutinized in the EU parliament since the conservative nationalist Law and Justice took power in 2015. Jarosลaw Kaczyลski, the leader of the ruling Law and Justice party, called it โa threat to the very foundations of our civilization." LGBT rights groups say they have also recorded a rising number of hate crimes against sexual minorities. โWe see Poland crossing red line after red line,โ said Sophia in โt Veld, a Dutch parliament member.
Taste the rainbow
Panifico Bake Shop has been serving on the west side of San Antonio for 15 years. Whether its their delicious bake goods and pan dulces or their welcoming atmosphere, you quickly realize this bake shop is something special. Every holiday, they go big at Panifico Bake shop, so they couldnt let Pride month go by without a dose of rainbow goodies. It all started with their simple rainbow donuts, chocolate glaze donuts with a rainbow design on top. This year once again they go over-the-top with rainbow cheesecake - 6 colors, 1 cheesecake.
Show your Pride: Fashion, fun, & something for the pets
SAN ANTONIO June is Pride month! If you need some new rainbow gear or are looking for great ways to give back to LGBT causes - theres a lot of companies you can turn to. Rainbow Gear Head-to-Toe:Sunglasses* - Goodr wants to be clear: Pride is a year-round celebration. Celebrate with these prideful purple shades with a rainbow pattern and violet reflective lenses. Pride at Home:Prideful Pets:Click here for custom paintings of your pets
EU official criticizes Polish campaign targeting LGBT people
Poland's parliament speaker says the postponed presidential election will take place June 28. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)WARSAW A senior European Union official on Monday criticized a campaign by Polish authorities against the LGBT rights movement during a close presidential election campaign, saying is is wrong to target minorities for political gain. European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, who is in charge of values and transparency, spoke two days after Polish President Andrzej Duda called the LGBT rights movement more dangerous than communism. LGBT rights have become a key campaign theme ahead of Poland's presidential election on June 28. Duda is the front-runner but his key challenger, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a vocal supporter of LGBT rights, has been gaining in opinion polls.