Regarding the PolitiFact Texas statement issued on October 4, 2018, Beto O’Rourke says that in Texas, you can be ‘too gay’ to adopt a foster child, please see the following statements from Equality Texas:

 Statement of Chuck Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Equality Texas

As the largest organization in Texas dedicated exclusively to securing equality for members of the LGBTQ community, Equality Texas has been asked to clarify the question of whether an LGBTQ couple in Texas can be denied the opportunity to become foster parents or adoptive parents.    The answer is unquestionably YES.    State law allows a child welfare provider, funded by state tax dollars, to refuse to place a child with an LGBTQ couple based on the provider’s own personal religious beliefs.  The existing law explicitly allows discrimination against LGBTQ Texans.

Statement of Steve Rudner, Chair of the Board of Directors, Equality Texas

Beto O’Rourke is completely correct when he says that despite the overwhelming number of children in state care in need of foster or adoptive families, LGTBQ couples can be denied the opportunity to become foster or adoptive parents.   He is also completely correct when he notes that there is no statewide protection against firing someone, refusing to hire someone, declining to rent an apartment or provide a mortgage to someone, or denying someone access to service, simply because they are a member of the LGBTQ community. Equality Texas salutes Beto O’Rourke for his stand against these harmful acts of discrimination and prejudice.