LGBT Rights
Trans Texans, Advocates Swarm Texas Capitol to Oppose ‘Bathroom Bills’ (Again)
Why We Hired a Civil Rights Reporter
Introducing Michael Barajas, the Observer’s new civil rights reporter
Over the last five years, federal courts have repeatedly ruled that the Texas Legislature intentionally discriminated against racial minorities. That’s a high...Read More
‘Recipe for Discrimination’: Legal Battle Brews Over New ‘Religious Refusal’ Child Welfare Law
The controversial measure passed into law last month violates the separation of church and state, legal experts say.
A new Texas law meant to shield child welfare providers who deny services based on religious beliefs could strap the state with more legal problems than the pro...Read More
Special Session Edition: Dan Patrick Locks the Legislature in a Bathroom Stall
Dan Patrick is forcing a special session to get his bathroom bill passed.
Sometimes the right questions to ask at the Texas Legislature are the simple ones, like: Dear god, what’s happening? And, Dear god, why is this happening? And...Read More
Photos: They Fought the Lege (and the Lege Won)
The Observer recaps the efforts of those who challenged the Republican-controlled Legislature. Photos and reporting by Sam DeGrave As far as controversial sessi...Read More
Bathroom Wars Prove Dan Patrick’s Dominance over Texas Legislature
More than ever, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is pulling the strings at the Capitol.
There was something very peculiar about the proceedings of the Texas House Sunday night, even amid a session that has scored high in casual cruelty and procedur...Read More
In Passing ‘Bathroom Bill,’ Joe Straus’ House ‘Rolled’ By Dan Patrick
“We are being rolled by the Senate, and trans children are part of that bargain,” said Representative Celia Israel.
In the final days of the 85th Texas Legislature, the House bent to the will of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick by approving a version of the anti-transgender ba...Read More
Dan Patrick Is Holding the Legislature Hostage Over ‘Bathroom Bill,’ Property Tax Reform
The lieutenant governor said Wednesday he is prepared to force a special session if those two bills aren’t passed.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said Wednesday he will force a special session unless the House passes versions of the anti-transgender bathroom bill and a prop...Read More
House Votes to Expand Religious Freedom at the Expense of Foster Children, Critics Say
“Denying [kids] access to things they need or forcing your culture on them at the expense of theirs is not in the best interest of the children,” one foster parent said.
Patricia Murphy, a single foster mother in Austin who is certified to care for the children with the highest needs in the state, says her guiding principle is t...Read More
Overnight Hearing on House ‘Bathroom Bill’ Draws 95 Percent Opposition
Beginning at 11:40 p.m., lawmakers heard more than five hours of heartfelt testimony on HB 2899.
Lawmakers on the House State Affairs Committee didn’t begin considering the chamber’s so-called bathroom bill until nearly midnight Wednesday, after a marat...Read More