TEXAS – Equality Texas today released its 2017 Legislative Scorecard. The scorecard is a snapshot of the bills, both good and bad, that were filed this session and their status when session was concluded.
During the 85th legislative session, over two dozen bills targeting LGBTQ people were filed. Many of these bills targeted the most vulnerable and marginalized within the LGBTQ communities.
Despite the historic number of anti-LGBT bills this session, a record 40 bills were filed this session by LGBTQ allies in the legislature that sought to end discrimination and create safe communities for all LGBTQ Texans. Three of these bills that relate to expanding nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people were voted out of committee, a historic first for this type of legislation in Texas.
This session, a record number of Equality Texas members were activated statewide. Over 10,000 members engaged in 20,000 direct calls to action this session. This includes emails to legislative offices, calls to lawmakers and visits to Capitol offices. In addition to tracking legislators’ votes and actions on key bills, the report contains an analysis of the 85th legislative session.
With this report, the Equality Texas team will continue their ongoing collaboration throughout the upcoming special session with the ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Texas Freedom Network, and the Transgender Education Network of Texas. The special legislative session in Texas will begin July 18, 2017.
View the full report here.
