|
|
We need you at the Capitol on March 2nd. Why? YOU make equality happen. Rallies and protests may get 15 to 20 seconds on the nightly news. Sadly, they don't often change policy and they don't often change laws. The single most powerful force in changing public policy is the collective voice of an engaged electorate. When lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans have face-to-face conversations with State Representatives, State Senators, and their staffs, hearts and minds are changed. Suddenly, LGBT people are more than stereotypes and generalizations. They become real people who are deeply affected by existing policy, or the lack of policy. When straight allies have face-to-face conversations with elected officials about why they support equality for all Texans, hearts and minds are changed. The conversation is not about a "gay agenda", but about fellow citizens who believe that all Texans should be treated equally, with dignity and respect. On one day every two years, we have the
opportunity to assemble this powerful collective
voice. Opening Welcome Reception on Sunday, March 1st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Lobby Day Schedule on Monday, March 2nd
Host Hotel
Registration There is no charge to attend Lobby Day, however advanced registration is necessary in order to prepare constituent-matched information packets and meals. Register here. FAQ's Learn more about Lobby Day. Read our Lobby Day FAQ's. Lobby Day Partners Equality Texas wishes to thank our partnering organizations for their support of Lobby Day.
If your organization is interested in being a Lobby Day Partner, please contact Lindsay Marsh at Lindsay@EqualityTexas.org
Equality Texas is working with our legislative allies to draft and file specific bills that are important to our members and that address issues with specific language that we have researched and proposed. Three (3) bills were pre-filed and two (2) bills have been filed since the session convened. Additional bills have been drafted and submitted for review by Legislative Council, and others are waiting to be filed once House committee assignments have been announced.
Medical Decision Making:
Author: Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) Would establish authority for domestic partners in medical decision making. Provisions of this comprehensive medical decision making bill include:
Nondiscrimination:
Author: Rep. Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas) Currently, insurers cannot discriminate based on race, color,
religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status,
geographic location, disability or partial disability. HB 197
would expand the prohibition of discrimination to include sexual
orientation and gender identity/expression.
Nondiscrimination:
Author: Rep. Michael Villarreal (D-San Antonio) Equality Texas worked with Rep. Villarreal's office to draft language which would prohibit discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. In 2007, Rep. Villarreal filed an omnibus nondiscrimination bill, HB 900. The 2009 bill takes an assertive new approach which would incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity/expression into all existing labor code sections dealing with nondiscrimination, treating them equally with race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, or age. Hate Crimes/James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act:
Author: Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) Equality Texas worked with Rep. Veasey's office to draft language which would require the Texas Attorney General to conduct a study to examine the success of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act and identify barriers to the effective use of, and prosecution under, the Act. Similar legislation was filed by Rep. Veasey in the 2007 session [HB 2612]. In 2007, the bill obtained two (2) additional authors and six (6) co-authors; it was left pending in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Insurance/Competitive Benefits:
Author: Rep. Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) Equality Texas worked with Rep. Naishtat's office to draft language which would expand access to insurance/health benefits for employees and faculty of the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems by adding a new category of dependent that includes "qualified other individual". Other Bills Safe Schools for All Youth: HB xxx - Relating to the reporting of incidents of bullying/harassment at public schools and at public school activities. Equality Texas worked to draft language which would establish reporting standards for school districts to report incidents of bullying/harassment to the Texas Education Agency. Medical Decision Making: HB xxx - Relating to end of life decision making.
Equality Texas worked to draft language on end of life decision making and enforcement of advanced directives. This language has been submitted to Legislative Council. The language has been separated into two (2) bills: one governing end of life decisions, including those made by a "long-term intimate partner", and one to make advance directives more enforceable. Equality Texas is working with other legislators on additional pieces of legislation in the areas of school safety, family & child welfare, relationship recognition, gender identity/expression, nondiscrimination, and hate crimes. These efforts include additional allies, including Representative Garnet Coleman. Efforts to defeat discriminatory bills and amendments will remain one of Equality Texas' highest priorities. After passage of a ballot initiative in Arkansas prohibiting adoption and foster care by single people, Equality Texas will dedicate resources to defeat similar efforts in Texas.
The Equality Texas board of directors has elected its officers for 2009. They are:
Regional Manager, Cafe Favorites Board committees: Executive, Legislative
Attorney/Mediator, Frye and Cantu PLLC Board committees: Governance (Chair)
Secretary: Denise Mejia - San
Antonio
Financial Products Specialist, Internal Revenue Service Board committees: Executive, Finance, Audit
Equality Texas Foundation board of directors has elected the following officers for 2009:
Executive Director of Development, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement - The University of Texas at Austin Board committees: Executive, Fund Development
Associate Attorney, Foster Quan, LLP Board committees: Executive, Legislative (Chair)
Self-employed, Real estate Board committees: Executive, Fund Development, Legislative, Governance
Financial Products Specialist, Internal Revenue Service Board committees: Executive, Finance, Audit
Equality Texas is pleased to welcome four interns for the Legislative Session/Spring Semester.
Master of Public Affairs (Expected May, 2009) The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
B.A., Sociology (Expected May, 2010) The Univerisity of Texas at Austin
B.S., Advertising (Expected May, 2009) The University of Texas at Austin
B.J., Magazine Journalism (Expected May, 2009) The University of Texas at Austin
Amy and Erich are conducting legislative research, assisting political director Randall Terrell in drafting legislation, monitoring the status of tracked legislation and committee hearings, and helping with preparation of testimony at hearings. Keirah is providing content management support for Equality Texas web and social networking sites. She is assisting deputy director Chuck Smith in the upcoming launch of an expanded web presence, including interactive website features and integrated social networking sites and a blog. Ryan is our "journalist-on-assignment". He is assisting in targeted media outreach by developing and writing stories about people personally affected by public policy as it relates to discrimination, bullying & harassment, gay/straight alliances, and family/child welfare. We are thrilled to have such fabulously-talented interns!
Tonight - Thursday, February 5th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Momemtum Audi, 2315 Richmond Ave, Houston, 77098 Discounted online ticketing has closed. $50 at the door. Complimentary valet parking. More details here. ______________________ 1+1, A Celebration of Equality and Marriage, presented by GLOBAL, the GLBT student group at the University of Houston Main Campus. Thursday, February 12th from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm Butler Plaza (In front of PGH and M.D. Anderson Library)/ Bayou City Room (UC) ______________________ March and Demonstration for the Right to Marry, presented by Foundation for Family and Marriage Equality. Friday, February 13th from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm Harris County Clerk's Office, 201 Caroline Street, Houston 77002 ______________________ Wedding Celebration and Demonstration, presented by Foundation for Family and Marriage Equality and Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church. Saturday, February 14th at 1:00 pm Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, 2025 West 11th Street, Houston 77008 ______________________  Elle
Acoustique, benefiting Equality Texas
Thursday, February 26th from 6 pm to 2 am (February 27th) Emo's, 603 Red River, Austin 78701
Lobbying & Advocacy Public Education Thank you for supporting our work! YOU make equality happen.
|
HB 353
-
HB
197 -
Chair: Dawnetta
Miller - Plano
Vice Chair: Rob
Scamardo - Houston
Treasurer: Marsha
Warren - San Antonio
Chair: Martha
Oestreich - Austin
Vice Chair: Rob
Caballero - Houston
Secretary: Reed
Bogle - Dallas
Amy Martin - Public
Policy/Legislative Advocacy
Erich Riepen -
Public Policy/Legislative Advocacy
Keirah Castro -
Communications & Media
Ryan Sachetta -
Communications & Media
