A CAPITOL DAY

by Tim Brookover

Photo by Yvonne Feece

To paraphrase the great Molly Ivins, lock up your valuables—the Legislature is back in session. The governor ordered the politicians into special session this month to address the divisive redistricting issue that sent 50 Democrats into an Oklahoma exile-of-protest during the regularly scheduled session. Things are sure to get ugly—and uglier still for our community in the future.

In Texas and across the nation, epic activism seems to have gone out of fashion just at a moment when we really need it. So, with the legislators making mischief in the state house, we look back in salute to the inspiring crowd of 1,500 or more who descended on Austin for “Rally for Our Youth/Rally for Our Families. Organized by the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby, the March 16 event attracted a hardy contingent from here—many taking a bus trip sponsored by the Houston GLBT Community Center, the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, and Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays–Houston.

The Texas Gender Advocacy & Information Network and ACT NOW! Texas also traveled to Austin in March to lobby legislators. The transgender activists, in particular, reported a disconcertingly hostile reception from many lawmakers—a plangent reminder that the struggle for full rights for our community is not over.

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