Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512-289-2995, angela@redmediagroup.com

Equality Texas Urges the University of Texas Board of Regents to Reject the Heather Wilson UTEP Nomination

Austin- March 21, 2019- Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Texans, today urges the University of Texas Board of Regents to reject the controversial nomination of Heather Wilson to be President of the University of Texas El Paso. Heather Wilson has a decades-long history of anti-LGBTQ statements.

“Heather Wilson’s numerous anti-LGBTQ positions and votes make her unfit to lead UTEP, the only Tier One university on the US-Mexico border marked by a culture of inclusion and excellence. We urge The University of Texas System Board of Regents to reject Wilson’s nomination and re-open the selection process. UTEP serves a vibrant and diverse population, and deserves a President who welcomes all people, not someone with a well-known record of anti-LGBTQ bias,” said Samantha Smoot, Interim Executive Director of Equality Texas.

Key points in the Heather Wilson record on LGBTQ issues:

• Wilson voted against The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2007 
• Said she does not “approve of” homosexuality
• Criticized an anti-LGBT bullying bill on the basis that teasing is just a part of a child’s life.
• Voted for a federal amendment to the US Constitution banning marriage equality for same-sex couples, going so far as to say she opposed civil unions as well.
• Declared that “marriage — the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife — is the best institution for raising children,” and vowed to “oppose any effort to undermine” this position.
• As member of US House, twice voted against LGBT-inclusive hate crimes legislation.
• Voted against an LGBT-inclusive Employment Nondiscrimination Act. 

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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. The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.