On the ballot in Texas on November 5, 2024, are numerous races including the U.S. Senate election between incumbent Senator Ted Cruz and challenger, Rep. Colin Allred. GLAAD is urging the media to include LGBTQ Texans and issues in their coverage and ask both candidates about their rhetoric, policies and proposals for LGBTQ people in the Lone Star State.
In-person absentee voting, also known as early voting in Texas, will be available from October 21, 2024, to November 1, 2024. Texas allows same-day registration and voting during early voting days. For those wishing to vote by mail, applications must be received by the early voting clerk by October 25, 2024. Voters can cast their ballots in person at any early voting location within their county.
“GLAAD urges Texas voters and reporters to look closely at the equality records of Texas’ senate candidates. Senator Cruz and Congressman Allred have a responsibility to address their commitment to all voters, including members of the LGBTQ community,” Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD CEO and President said. “As we have seen with the passage of legislation and the targeting of LGBTQ youth by elected leaders and state agencies, the liberties and rights of LGBTQ Texans are on the line.”
“When Colin Allred says that he believes ‘all kids are God’s kids,’ he’s underscoring that Cruz clearly doesn’t share that belief. Cruz has no problem demonizing trans kids with cruel attack ads,” Brad Pritchett, Equality Texas Interim CEO said. “A recent study shows a direct causal relationship between anti-trans legislation and an uptick in suicide attempts by trans young people. Public officials should make policy decisions based on the public interest. Yet, Cruz is recklessly and maliciously ignoring a public health crisis that is impacting young trans Texans. Let’s show him that Texans don’t gamble with the the mental health of LGBTQIA+ youth.”
The LGBTQ records of Texas’s U.S. Senate candidates include:
Colin Allred (D):
- Is a member of the LGBTQ Equality Cacus in Congress
- voted for the Respect for Marriage Act which would enshrine marriage equality into law and was later signed into law by President Joe Biden
- One of the original cosponsors of the Equality Act, which would codify civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans in federal law.
- Co-sponsored a resolution to create a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people
- Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls Sports Act, which would have prohibited transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports
- States on his campaign website: “As a civil rights attorney, Colin believes we must stand united against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. He’s been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, proudly supporting passage of legislation enshrining marriage equality into law and voting to protect Texans from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender. Political attacks targeting LGBTQ+ Texans are shameful and are attacks on the fundamental right to live free from discrimination. These attacks are particularly harmful to transgender kids and their families who just want to live their lives free from interference and intimidation.”
- Walked in the Dallas Pride parade and tweeted: “It’s been a tough few years for LGBTQ+ Texans but together we will change that and build a state where everyone can live free from discrimination. Happy pride y’all!”
- Tweeted on the first day of Pride: Texas! No matter who you are or who you love, every Texan deserves to live free from discrimination. When I am in the Senate, LGBTQ+ Texans will finally have an ally.
- Opposes bans on abortion and spoke out against a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing Texas to continue to ban reproductive care even in emergency cases.
Ted Cruz (R):
- Spent millions of dollars to run campaign ads that spread fear about transgender people using bathrooms that match their gender identity. Transgender people and youth are more likely to be targeted for sexual assault in locker rooms and bathrooms that don’t match gender identity. Research of crime data does not support claims that trans people pose a risk in bathrooms. Over 70% of Texans support general protections for LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, according to the Public Religion Research Institute.
- Introduced legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from requiring workers to address other employees using pronouns that “contradict with an individual’s biological sex.” The introduction to the legislation, titled the Safeguarding Honest Speech Act, reads: “To prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce measures requiring certain employees to refer to an individual by the preferred pronouns of such individual or a name other than the legal name of such individual, and for other purposes.” Sen. Rafael Edward Cruz goes by a preferred name, “Ted.”
- Falsely claimed in a Senate hearing about the Equality Act that the bill is about mandating “biological males” to be allowed to compete in girls’ sports. The term “biological males” is inaccurate and used by opponents of transgender equality to diminish authentic identity. The Equality Act does not address transgender participation in school sports.
- Led efforts to support false claims about the 2020 presidential election and voted against the Electoral College counts in Arizona and Pennsylvania, hours after the deadly siege at the Capitol. Days later, cosponsored a bill to “protect women and girls” in sports. Cruz also voted against holding the impeachment trial to investigate the Capitol attack.
- Endorsed Alabama Judge Roy Moore, a candidate for U.S. Senate known for his opposition to gay marriage. Moore was credibly accused of child predation and assault.
- Stated that the landmark Supreme Court decision granting marriage equality was “even worse” than the Court decision in the 1850s that upheld slavery.
- Said he believes that “engaging in homosexual conduct is a choice, and I do not believe that unelected judges should force States to adopt gay marriage, against the wishes of the people. Marriage is a fundamental building block of our society, and I have a proven record of standing and fighting to protect traditional marriage between one man and one woman.”
- Said he supports marriage “between one man and one woman” but that “it’s a question for the states. ”Reintroduced the State Marriage Defense Act in 2015, which would leave it up to the states to define marriage.
- Criticized Dallas Republican Mayor Tom Leppert for the city’s Pride celebrations: “When a mayor of a city chooses twice to march in a parade celebrating gay Pride, that’s a statement and it’s not a statement I agree with.”
- Voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which extended protections to lesbians, gays, immigrants, and Native Americans.
- Said in a 2015 speech: “There is a liberal fascism that is dedicated to going after believing Christians who follow the biblical teaching on marriage.”
- Ted Cruz urged states to ignore the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision, saying states not named in the case are not bound by the ruling.
Additional research:
- Texas led the nation last year in a record-breaking year of proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation that would codify discrimination against LGBTQ Texans. For a comprehensive list of the bills introduced and their status, visit https://www.equalitytexas.org/legislature/legislative-bill-tracker-2023/.
- Anti-LGBTQ lawmakers this year pushed forward bans on healthcare for transgender youth, bans on inclusive education curricula that include LGBTQ issues and history, increased restrictions on transgender students participating in school sports, and bans on performances by drag artists, among other bills. For a comprehensive description of all LGBTQ-related bills in various states, visit https://www.equalityfederation.org/state-legislation.
- Research from The Trevor Project found that 86% of LGBTQ youth say the bills that were proposed in 2022 harmed their mental health.
- Approximately 140 pro-LGBTQ bills were filed in 2023 by Texas lawmakers to protect and defend LGBTQ Texans.
- GLAAD’s Media Guide: State Legislation About LGBTQ People offers facts, context, and resources to journalists in pursuit of fair and accurate reporting on legislation that is proposed without evidence and against the expertise of medical, educational, and human rights professionals that would have negative effects on the dignity, equality, and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ people. Some recommended best practices in the guide include:
- Include LGBTQ voices in stories about LGBTQ people and issues. If reporting on a transgender issue specifically, seek a transgender voice. GLAAD can connect you.
- Elevate expertise over opinion, including facts from experts in relevant fields: healthcare, sports, education, and human rights.
- Include facts and information from experts and research, rather than repeating inaccurate bill language or analysis verbatim and without challenge.
- Challenge lawmakers and proponents of legislation to provide evidence and facts to support their assertions