Press Contact: Johnathan Gooch, [email protected], (512) 922-4040
Austin, TX – While the campaign against trans and queer people in the state of Texas and across the country has been largely premised on the notion that being trans is a “new” phenomenon, Equality Texas—the largest LGBTQIA+ advocacy group in the state of Texas—launched a timeline that explores the history of LGBTQIA+ life in the Lone Star State. The Queer Texas History Timeline, at equalitytexas.org/queer-texas-history/, reaches back to the early days of the 20th century when a notable and popular drag bar thrived just blocks from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. The timeline also includes the launch of a long-running queer radio program in Houston, the first Dallas Pride Parade in 1972, and the decisive ruling from the US Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas, which protected the private lives of queer Americans from overreaching state governments.
Since assuming office on January 20, President Trump has issued executive orders that commit to ostracizing trans people, preventing discussion of LGBTQIA+ issues in public schools, eliminating health care for trans youth, ending DEI practices in federal agencies, preventing trans Americans from serving in the armed forces, and dehumanizing trans inmates in federal prisons. Demonstrating his fealty to the new administration, Greg Abbott has more than once parroted Trump’s federal policies, effectively saying “ditto” in legalese.
So far in the 2025 Legislative Session, Texas Lawmakers have filed nearly 170 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills. While these actions may feel like a step backward, they are nothing new. Queer Texans have been thriving for a long time, and no government, no one man, can take that away.
Statement from Sofia Sepulveda, Field Director at Equality Texas:
“The political climate is tense, and much of the country’s anxieties and fears are directed at trans people. It’s a lot for the community to process, while continuing to fight for our rights. I’ve been doing this work for a long time, fighting at every step of the way. We’ve been through worse, and we survived. Our trans siblings are resilient, and a deep look at queer history in Texas is a powerful reminder of just how much we’ve overcome. The path forward is through community. Lean on your neighbors, be strong for your friends. We will carry each other through again.”
Statement from Brad Pritchett, Interim CEO at Equality Texas:
“People are quick to dismiss the South, but LGBTQIA+ people have been living and thriving in Texas for hundreds of years. In my lifetime Texas went from criminalizing gay relationships to honoring my marriage to my husband. Yes, there is much left to fight for, but our trans and queer ancestors started fighting long ago, today we carry their torch into the future”
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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration.