Every Texan deserves the right  to live openly as their authentic selves, free from bigotry and hate. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Texas legislature continue to introduce hateful bills that discriminate against LGBTQ Texans–especially targeting trans Texans.

Creating communities where every Texan can thrive means defending the LGBTQ community from discrimination and ensuring access to benefits and services. In Congress, I will:

• Vote for the Equality Act, reintroduced by Democrats in June 2023, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in education, employment, housing, and more. 

• Stand up against all attacks by Republican extremists to undo the progress we’ve made, like the landmark Respect for Marriage Act (2022), which mandates federal-recognition of same-sex marriages.

• Support legislation to improve access to healthcare resources for LGBTQ youth and adults working with physicians to live their most authentic lives. No one should be denied the healthcare they need.

• Promote gun safety and continue to speak out about the disproportionate impact of gun violence on LGBTQ communities: LGBTQ people are more than twice as likely to experience gun violence than their straight and cisgender peers. We can keep guns out of the hands of violent extremists by funding “red-flag” laws at the federal level and investing in community violence intervention programs.