FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                

Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512.289.2995 angela@redmediagroup.com

Rep. Zedler Files Controversial Anti-LGBTQ Bill HB 1035

Includes the “Bathroom Bill” and Doubles Down on Discrimination

Austin, Texas – January 24, 2019 – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Texans, today condemned Rep. Bill Zedler’s HB1035 as blatant discrimination against LGBTQ Texans.

“Rep. Zedler missed the message voters sent last fall, when they sent home the author of 2017’s notorious bathroom bill. Voters have had it with the hatefulness. They want lawmakers to focus on the economy and public education, not take aim at LGBTQ Texans’ rights,” said Samantha Smoot, Interim Executive Director of Equality Texas.

Zedler’s bill would legally protect discrimination in healthcare, in social services, in the workplace, in access to housing, in business, and even in government by creating special rights for two specific religious beliefs above all others, opposition to marriage equality and rejection of transgender people. The bill even contains some of the same divisive bathroom regulations Equality Texas fought so hard against in 2017.

Studies, including a recent American Values Atlas, survey show the majority of Texans oppose discrimination.   

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.