The historic wins of LGBTQ candidates Lauren Ashley Simmons to the Texas House and Julie Johnson to the U.S. Congress were positive signs on Tuesday as election results nationally and the reelection of Senator Ted Cruz were seen as setbacks for the LGBTQ community.
In her historic win, Julie Johnson will be the first out LGBTQ member of Congress from Texas and in the South, a seat left open by outgoing Rep. Colin Allred of House District 32 in Dallas. Representative-elect Johnson served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives starting in 2019 where she fought against anti-LGBTQ legislation including Texas’ anti-trans bathroom bill.
GLAAD’s Texas-based representative Jacob Reyes responded to Johnson’s historic win on Tuesday evening.
“Representative-elect Julie Johnson of Texas is making history as the first out LGBTQ member of Congress from the South. This is necessary representation in a region that’s home to the most number of LGBTQ Americans in the country,” Reyes said. “Johnson comes to Congress with a proven record fighting anti-LGBTQ legislation in Texas, and as a trailblazer for LGBTQ visibility as the first legislator in Texas to be married to a spouse of the same gender. Representation, community, and equality for all.”
Lauren Ashley Simmons, a lifelong Houstonian and member of the LGBTQ community, has committed to advocating for all Texans, including the LGBTQ community. Simmons won the Texas House District 146 Democratic Primary runoff earlier this year against incumbent Shawn Thierry, who had voted for anti-LGBTQ legislation during the 2023 state legislative session.
“Julie Johnson’s victory tonight as the first openly queer representative from the South is historic,” Brad Prichett, Interim CEO of Equality Texas said. “With Lauren Ashley Simmons’ election tonight an anti-trans crusader has been ousted from the Texas House after betraying her promises to the LGBTQIA+ community. These victories push us toward a brighter future for LGBTQIA+ Texans.”
For his part, Senator Ted Cruz is known for his anti-LGBTQ track record, as documented by the GLAAD Accountability Project. His recent harmful rhetoric and attack ads included transphobic statements and more.
GLAAD had documented the LGBTQ records of Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, including rhetoric deployed during their one debate.
“While Ted Cruz may have won this election, his tenure won’t last much longer. Because the more Texans get to know him, the more they dislike him,” Prichett said. “Until the next election, we will continue to hold him accountable for his words and actions. Texas has the second largest LGBTQIA+ population in the country, and we’re also Ted’s constituents.
Texas led the nation in 2023 with a record-breaking year of proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation that would codify discrimination against LGBTQ Texans. 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. A lifelong resident of Texas, Reyes spoke of Cruz’s win and its impact on LGBTQ equality and politics.
“The path to justice and freedom for all is long, and tonight is proof. LGBTQ Texans will continue to speak out against Sen. Cruz’s record of advancing harmful legislation and rhetoric that does nothing to improve lives,” Reyes said. “We will continue to work for LGBTQ Texans’ safety, remain defiant in the face of bigotry, and rely on our community’s growing strength and solidarity.”