'Ms T' Tells It Like It T-I-S Is In the Texas House

I have loved Texas state Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) ever since I met her during the 1999 TGAIN lobby days.  She is the dean of Texas legislators, and isn't afraid to speak her mind as she did when the Republifoools choo-chooed the anti-same sex marriage constitutional amendment through the Texas House in 2005.  She lit the haters up with a blistering speech condemning the amendment.

Check out 'Ms T' again as she speaks truth once again on the floor of the Texas House about disrespect of women as this regular session winds down to a close.

Thank You Texas Senate Democrats

Texas trans community, we did it.    We sent the message to our state legislature not to mess with trans Texans.

Now it's time to thank the Texas Democratic senators who helped us send that message by standing their ground and helping us kill the odious anti trans SB 723.   

They always hear from their constituents when they are perceived to have done something wrong or urged to vote for or against a bill.    Well, let's thank them for standing up for us.    Let our legislators know we appreciate them when they help trans brothers and trans sisters out.

Tell 'em thank you for standing up and helping kill unjust SB 723.


Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

Maine LD 1046 Update- 'Ought Not To Pass'

While I was rightfully concerned with political developments in my own backyard, trans Mainers were concerned about LD 1046, an unjust bill proposed by Republican Ken Fredette.   The bill would repeal part of the Maine Human Rights Act to take away existing protections for trans people when accessing appropriate public restrooms.and allow discrimination against them.

Fredette was on the Maine Human Rights Commission when the successful trans rights cases were voted on.

On May 13 a bipartisan group of five Democrats, 2 Republicans and one independent voted 8-5 to recommend that LD 1046 'Ought not to pass'. 


It was strongly opposed by Mainers such as NAACP board member Bob Talbot of Bangor; Elizabeth Ward-Saxl, executive director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Jennifer Finney Boylan, an openly trans professor at Colby College and acclaimed author; Westbrook High School student Marissa Exchange, a member of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s Jump-Start Student Leadership Team; and many other trans Mainers and their family members.

In most states a negative committee vote is enough to kill a bill, but in Maine the process is different.    Only a unanimous 'Ought Not To Pass' vote kills it at that stage.  

Our trans brothers and sisters in Maine will still be keeping an eye on LD 1046 along with our allies.

Anti-Trans Bill SB 723 Is DEAD!

The peeps living along I-5, I-95 and I-495 didn't think we trans Texans could do it.   Our right wing opponents didn't think we were organized enough or had the ability to stop them from bumrushing a bad anti-trans bill through the GOP dominated Texas legislature.

But we believed we could do it, rolled up our sleeves and got to work killing that unjust bill   

It gives me great pleasure to announce that anti SB 723 is officially dead for the 82nd Texas legislative session.   Time and place of death was at midnight in Austin, Texas in the Senate chambers.

Exhale trans Texas and break out the adult beverages.   Rest up and savor this win.   On Monday we thank all the Texas Democrats for hanging together, standing tall for their trans constituents and helping us kill that unjust bill.

Texas Trans Two Step

An anxious day continues as the eyes of trans Texans were gazing in the directions of Austin and Wharton today.

In the first part of the trans two step we waited for news from the Wharton County Courthouse concerning the Delgado v. Araguz case.    No matter which way it goes, there's going to be an appeal filed in this case.

The presiding judge in this case stated he would take a week before making his ruling.    I'd like to know whether he's a Democrat or a Republican and that will give me a pretty good idea on which way he'll rule in this case.

I'm just sayin'...

Meanwhile, in our state capitol our esteemed state legislature is hard at work until May 30.  Today was a crucial deadline day for any bills originating in the Senate.   They had to be passed and out of the chamber by midnight so they can be dealt with by the Texas House.

One of those bills that hasn't passed yet is the anti-trans SB 723 authored by Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands)   The bill has been blocked several times by Texas Democratic senators urged to keep a united front to kill SB 723 by an avalanche of phone calls, faxes and e-mail from trans Texans and our allies.

After three attempts to put it on the intent calendar and failing to advance it to the Senate floor, Sen Williams was forced to put it on the general calendar where it was languishing 41st in line as of the start of the legislative day at 11 AM CDT.    The Senate recessed until 3:30 PM CDT and if you wish to watch the proceedings you can monitor events on the Texas Senate floor at this link.   

Tick tick tick....

 

SB 723 Update 13-One More Day

Well, Texas trans community and supporters, let's cut to the chase and get to what you wanted to know.

The Texas Senate cranks up for 'bidness' at 11:00 AM CDT and SB 723 is not on the intent calendar for today.   It is still on the general order of business calendar where it is now 41st in line to be considered and Sen. Tommy Williams has until midnight to get it voted on and out of the Senate and over to the Texas House.

Once it gets to the House, it must undergo first reading, be assigned to a committee, be voted successfully out of committee and undergo a vote on the House floor.

Oh yeah, did I forget to point out this process in the House needs to happen in one day?


And the clock is ticking

Keep the pressure on the Democratic senators.  Let them know the eyes of Trans Texans are still upon them and will be until this unjust bill dies.
.

SB 723 Update 12-Clock Ticking Toward Bill's Death

The Senate is recessed until 8 AM and anti-trans SB 723 is not on the senate intent calendar for today.   That means it's still mired on the general calendar .   The clock is ticking toward the May 20 deadline to be passed out of the senate.

We're close to victory, but we can't relax yet.    Keep those calls, faxes and e-mails coming.   Tell the Texas Democratic senators to continue hanging tough and working together to kill SB 723.  

Be nice when you do call, fax or e-mail. Thank these Texas Democratic senators for standing up for what's fair and just for trans Texans.     

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us
 

SB 723 Update 11-On Life Support

Let's get right to the latest news concerning SB 723.   

The Senate is cranking up for business at 11 AM CDT and our least favorite unjust bill is not on the Senate intent calendar for today.   It's still on the regular order of business calendar where it was 45th in line as of yesterday.

Pat yourself on the back for being close to making happen what many people on I-5, I-95 and inside I-495 think is impossible for the trans community:  stopping an anti trans bill in a GOP controlled red state legislature.

Y'all don't know us trans Texans do you? 

The clock is inexorably ticking toward the bill's demise, but we can't get happy yet.   Never underestimate the determination of oppressors who wish to screw you.   It must pass the Senate by May 20, so keep the pressure on. 

Let the Democratic senators know the eyes of trans Texans and the national trans community are still on them.

 

SB 723 Update 10-Another Day Closer To Dying

The Texas Senate is adjourned until 11 AM CDT, and Monday's session ended with good news for trans Texans concerned about the anti-trans SB 723.  

SB 723 was 'not again placed on the intent calendar'.

That means it is on the regular order of business calendar.   While that means Sen Williams (R-The Woodlands) doesn't need to have a Democratic senator help him bring it to the floor for a vote, being on the general calendar means it comes up in the order the bill cleared its senate committee.

In case you're wondering, SB 723 was 45th in line on the RO calendar and the clock is ticking toward the midnight May 20 deadline for all Senate bills to be passed and on their way to the Texas House. 


Is there a possibility that Sen. Williams could put it back on the 'intent calendar'?    That depend on how much political capital he has left to do so.  You are only allowed a certain amount of attempts per senator to place a bill on the intent calendar, and every time he tries and fails to do so, that's burning up capital for other bill of his he may be concerned about.

So keep those calls and faxes coming.   We're closing in on accomplishing something the rest of the country and probably our opponents don't think we trans Texans can do, stop an anti trans bill in a Republican dominated legislature.


Here's the full Senate contact list     Here's the one for the twelve Senate Democrats to urge them to hang together and oppose SB 723.   

These are the seven Democratic senators rumored to be waffling on the bill.   Be nice when you call or fax them and implore them to stick together and kill SB 723. 

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

Thank these Texas Democratic senators for standing up for what's fair and just for their trans constituents.

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us

Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us

José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us

Five days to go..

SB 723 Update 8-Countdown To May 20

We Texas transpeeps already know what we're facing Monday morning in our ongoing battle to kill SB 723.

Conservabigot Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) has already put the bill on the senate 'intent calendar'. We have five NO votes out of the 12 Democratic senators.    Leticia Van De Putte (San Antonio), Rodney Ellis (Houston), Royce West (Dallas), Wendy Davis (Fort Worth) and Jose Rodriguez (El Paso).

West, Ellis and Davis' offices have confirmed their opposition to SB 723, while Van De Putte's and Rodriguez's offices haven't. 

The Van De Putte one is a mystery to us trans Texans because she is related to Chrisite Lee Littleton.   (yes, THE Christie Lee Littleton)  

That leaves 7 Democrats on the fence, and the GOP needs only ONE to bring this bill to the floor.

Sen Carlos Uresti is the one that's rumored to be the shakiest on this bill.  One of his staffers was quoted in a recent Legislative Queery post as stating SB 723 'was a simple clean up bill'.

Yeah, right.  That's the lie that Sen. Williams is telling you.   To be honest, I'd love to find out if Sen Williams has any ties to either the Wharton Fire Department or attorney Frank Mann III.  . 

Can we get some investigative journalists on that one?

It's an unjust clean up bill that will frack with the lives of trans Texans for decades if it passes and could have deleterious effects on transpeople elsewhere on the planet as well.    Two people who are definitely watching what's transpiring in Austin are Nikki Araguz and Joanne Cassar in Malta who have pending trans marriage cases.

But the good news is the clock it ticking toward the demise of this bill if the Democratic Senators can hang together one more week (and we keep letting them know we are watching them).   In order for this bill to pass, it must clear the Senate,  get a first reading in the Texas House, get referred to a committee and clear that committee before midnight May 21

So keep up the pressure and keep those calls and faxes coming.   The right wing haters are doing the same on their side now that they have been alerted to what we've been up to in terms of trying to kill this bill. .

These are the seven waffling senators.   Be nice when you call or fax them. 

Mario Gallegos (512) 463-0106
mario.gallegos@senate.state.tx.us

Kirk Watson (512) 463-0114
kirk.watson@senate.state.tx.us

John Whitmire (512) 463-0115
john.whitmire@senate.state.tx.us

Carlos I. Uresti (512) 463-0119
carlos.uresti@senate.state.tx.us

Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (512) 463-0120
juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Judith Zaffirini (512) 463-0121
judith.zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us

Eduardo A. (Eddie) Lucio, Jr. (512) 463-0127
eddie.lucio@senate.state.tx.us

Thank these Texas Democratic senators for standing up for what's fair and just.

Rodney G. Ellis (512) 463-0113
rodney.ellis@senate.state.tx.us


Wendy Davis (512) 463-0110
wendy.davis@senate.state.tx.us

Royce West (512) 463-0123
royce.west@senate.state.tx.us

Leticia R. Van de Putte (512) 463-0126
leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us
José R. Rodríguez (512) 463-0129
Jose.rodriguez@senate.state.tx.us


Can't rest until May 21.   We've got one more tense week, and then it's over until 2013..