Texas State Representatives Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) and Jessica Farrar (D-Houston) filed critical legislation in March supporting equality for all Texans regardless of gender expression or sexual orientation.
Rep. Coleman’s HB 2966 relates to an offense committed against a person because of bias or prejudice on the basis of gender identity or expression as part of the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act.
Rep. Coleman’s HB 3746, a comprehensive anti-bullying and harassment bill, is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Additionally, Rep. Coleman filed HB 3026, which seeks to delete discriminatory language in Section 163.002 of the Health and Safety Code, as well as in Section 21.06 of the Penal Code, also known as Texas’ Sodomy Laws which were declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lawrence vs. Texas .
Rep. Farrar filed HB 2215, legislation that would prohibit discrimination in public accommodations and is inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Rep. Farrar also filed HB 2923, an Education Nondiscrimination Bill, which would prohibit discrimination in public education on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression of students or parents. – by Nancy Ford
Comments