Austin, Texas (February  26, 2009) –   Equality Texas is gearing up for its largest Lobby Day in history.  On March 2, 2009, four hundred (400) Texans who support the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression will converge on the State Capitol for face-to-face conversations with legislators and their staff about issues of equality and the effect of public policy on their daily lives. 

Advance registration for the 2009 Lobby Day is double the number of concerned citizens who participated in the most recent Lobby Day in 2007.  Lobby Day participants represent constituents from 85 House Districts across the state. They include Texans from the major metropolitan areas of Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, as well as constituents from across the state including Abilene, Amarillo, Tyler, Huntsville, Bryan/College Station, Killeen, Waco, Corpus Christi, Pharr, McAllen, and more.

"The single most powerful force in changing public policy is the collective voice of concerned citizens,” said Paul Scott, executive director of Equality Texas.  “We are humbled by the number of Texans who are traveling to Austin to help make equality happen.  Participants will be discussing with their legislators issues that are important to every Texan: child welfare, safe schools, and nondiscrimination in the workplace."

Equality Texas is leading the lobby day with support from national, regional, and local advocacy groups including Atticus Circle; Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance (CCGLA); HATCH; Human Rights Campaign (HRC); Join the Impact Austin; Lambda Legal; Log Cabin Republicans; MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks; Montrose Counseling Center; National Association of Social Workers - Texas Chapter; North Texas GLBT Chamber; OutYouth; Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) – National; PFLAG – Fort Worth; PFLAG – Houston; PFLAG – Bryan/College Station; Resource Center of Dallas; Stonewall Democrats of Dallas; Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio; Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats; Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus; Texas GSA Network; Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT); University Democrats; and Youth First Texas.

Press Conference on the Capitol South Steps

Monday, March 2, 2009

9:00 a.m.

Confirmed Speakers:

Paul E. Scott,

Executive Director Equality Texas

The Honorable Mark Strama,

State Representative District 50

The Honorable Jessica Farrar,

State Representative District 148

The Honorable Garnet Coleman,

State Representative District 147

The Honorable Elliott Naishtat,

State Representative District 49

The speakers will be available for interviews at 9:30 a.m.