The Equality Project (The Project) is a public education program on policy issues and their effect on Texas citizens. The Project also trains supporters of equality to establish relationships with their state representatives and senators, and to advocate for policy changes with their elected officials. The Project aims to engage the public in maintaining continuous conversations with their elected officials about public policy matters that directly impact their lives. It is these conversations about real people's lives that will ultimately motivate policy changes to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

Why Equality Project Matters

Equality Project participants learn how to influence their elected representatives on the core issues that affect their daily lives. When concerned citizens decide to proactively and persistently engage their elected representatives, real change happens. Two significant examples of this are the passage of House Bill 587, The James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act and House Bill 1942, legislation relating to bullying in public schools.

Both bills represent what can be achieved when supporters from all walks of life decide to take their concerns directly to their elected representatives. Passage of The James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act was the result of months of political organizing, direct lobbying and hundreds of phone calls from concerned citizens. House Bill 1942 became law only after significant political pressure was brought to bear upon key legislators by supporters, including the parents of the victims of bullying.