Equality TX Lobby Day A Hit

We're a little late giving our recap on Lobby Day this past Monday, but we're getting back in the swing of things.

Monday March 2, 2009 was a fitting Lobby Day for Equality Texas. Texas Independence Day brought almost 500 LGBT and allies to the Capitol steps. That is more than double the previous turnout in 2007! The 81st Legislative Session is one of the first to not see any anti-LGBT legislation filed by Republicans. Pro equality bills have been filed by several Democrats in the House:

HB 197 by Alonzo , Insurance Non-Discrimination Bill

HB 353 by Rodriguez , Hospital Visitation and Medical Decision Making Bill

HB 538 by Villareal , Freedom from Workplace Discrimination Act

HB 616 by Veasey , Hate Crimes Study

HB 861 by Naishtat , Competitve Insurance Benefits Bill

HB 1323 by Strama , Anti Bullying & Harrassment Bill

HB 1455 by Howard , Right To Decide Act (Medical Decisions)

We were assigned to groups and given House member assignments to visit. The members we were assigned to were not in their offices, but we did leave info packets with the staff of Rep. Harold Dutton Jr, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Rep. Diane Patrick, Rep. Myra Crownover, Senator Jane Nelson, and Senator Chris Harris. Each office seemed surprised and overwhelmed so many groups stopped in to lobby.

If you were not able to attend in Austin, call your legislators to promote these bills. The Equality TX website is helpful with all of this information. You can also get involved with your local chapter of Stonewall Democrats.