EQUALITY TEXAS, GLAAD RESPOND TO RESULTS OF SENATE ELECTION RESULTS, LGBTQ CANDIDATE WINS

GLAAD: The path to justice and freedom for all is long, and tonight is proof. 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.

Equality Texas: 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 Cruz’s constituents.

(Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – Dallas, TX and New York, NY)  Equality Texas, the largest nonprofit in Texas focused on securing full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, are responding to the results of Texas elections, including the win of LGBTQ candidates Lauren Ashley Simmons to the Texas House and Julie Johnson to the U.S. Congress, and the results of Texas’ Senate winner, Ted Cruz. 

GLAAD responded to Johnson’s win on Instagram: “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. 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.”

GLAAD had documented the LGBTQ records of Sen. Ted Cruz and challenger, Rep. Colin Allred, including rhetoric deployed during their one debate.

Statement from Brad Prichett, Interim CEO of Equality Texas (he/him):

“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. Ted has six more years to show us who he really is: pay attention, Texas.

But 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.

Regardless of who our Senator is, Julie Johnson’s victory tonight as the first openly queer representative from the South is historic. And 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.”

Statement from Jacob Reyes, GLAAD Texas-based representative and News Coordinator (he/him): 

“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. 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.”

Additional research:

• Representative-elect Julie Johnson:

• • first out LGBTQ member of Congress from the U.S. South, which is home to 36% of the LGBTQ community. More LGBTQ people live in the South than in any other region of the U.S.
  • instrumental in defeating anti-LGBTQ legislation and improving bills that would’ve had broad, discriminatory impact on millions of Texans
  • defeated state representative who wrote Texas’ anti-LGBTQ bathroom bill
  • when first elected in 2018. Johnson was the first legislator in Texas history to serve while married to a spouse of the same gender
• GLAAD’s Accountability Project profile on Gov. Abbott shows a concerning trend of anti-LGBTQ efforts that include discriminatory rhetoric against transgender and non-conforming teachers, falsely identifying LGBTQ literature as “pornography” and recommendations to remove protections from state LGBTQ workers.
• 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 this link.
• 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 this link.
• Approximately 140 pro-LGBTQ bills were filed in 2023 by Texas lawmakers, demonstrating a tide change as advocates and allies not only play defense against the barrage of harmful bills but also outpace them with a push for bills that would benefit the lives of LGBTQ+ Texans across the state.
• Research from The Trevor Project found that 86% of LGBTQ youth say the bills that were proposed in 2022 harmed their mental health.
• 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
• CDC data shows transgender youth face dramatically higher rates of bullying, “violence, poor mental health, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, unstable housing, and a lower prevalence of school connectedness than their cisgender peers” in part from peer, family, and society rejection.
• 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.

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About Equality Texas:
We envision a Texas where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of our fellow Texans and in all areas of the law. Equality Texas works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.