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The LGBTQ+ Caucus in the Texas House of Representatives was created in January 2019 to discuss issues relevant to the LGBTQ+ community in Texas. The founders included Mary González, Celia Israel, Julie Johnson, Jessica González, and Erin Zwiener. Listed on the official Caucus website is their mission statement, that the caucus “exists to create awareness and advocate for LGBTQ Texans while employing an intersectional lens in our march towards social equity and justice.” Since their creation in 2019, they have influenced the passing of numerous bills in their effort to enforce and maintain LGBTQ+ equality.

Efforts in 2019

 * Rep. Celia Israel introduced House Bill 517, which sought to ban the practice of conversion therapy. The Texas House held a hearing for the bill in May of 2019, and the bill was left pending in committee.
 * The Caucus held their first Town Hall meeting in El Paso. At the meeting, Rep. Mary Gonzalez introduced the “Romeo and Romeo bill,” which would have allowed protection for teenage same-sex consensual relationships over the age of 14 within 3 years of each other. The bill never passed, however, as it received opposition from conservative lawmakers.
 * The Caucus used a parliamentary procedure in an attempt to prevent the passing of House Bill 3172. The bill would protect religious individuals and organizations from attacks from the government, which the Caucus felt could threaten the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The defeat of the bill shocked many legislators and shifted the tone of the chamber away from the dominating conservative power.
 * The Caucus objected to Senate Bill 1978 in which government entities are prohibited from punishing individuals or organizations who are “membership in, affiliation with, or contribution ... to a religious organization”. The first filing contained abhorrence with the potential to undermine the few protections allotted to the LGBTQ in Texas.  State Rep. Jessica Gonzalelz attempted to amend the bill with protective language against discrimination in the public and private sector.  However, the amendment failed, and there is currently no state law to prohibit the firing of employees and workers based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Efforts in 2020

 * The Caucus focused their efforts on rewording existing marriage legislation to be gender-inclusive in House Bill 978. Their efforts received much opposition from the conservative groups that sought to maintain the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
 * Rep. Hernandez introduced a amendment to House Bill 1190, which sought to protect LGBTQ+ children and clients from facing discrimination in counseling services. HB 1190 and similar bills pushed by the Caucus received backlash from conservative religious groups who feared that the bills were efforts to “ban the Bible,” and the edits were never approved.

Efforts in 2021

 * Rep. Celia Israel filed HB 560, which emphasized desires to penalize any licensed counselor or therapist who was engaging in conversion therapy with minors.
 * Rep. Jessica Gonzales has furthered efforts for nondiscrimination laws, planning to initiate a bill that would prevent for discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and housing. Gonzales claims the bill will boost the economy as it would attract business to Texas.

Efforts in 2022

 * Chair of the Caucus, Rep. Jessica Gonzales, spoke outwardly against Governor Greg Abbott’s order against transgender affirming health care. She stated that the Caucus fought against the misinformation surrounding the order and would continue efforts to prevent the order becoming law.

Current Members

 * Rep Mary Gonzalez, Chair, District 75
 * Rep Jessica Gonzalez, Vice Chair, District 104
 * Rep. Erin Zwiener, Secretary, District 45
 * Rep Julie Johnson, Treasurer, District 115
 * Rep. Celia Israel, founding member, District 50
 * Rep. Alma Allen, District 131
 * Rep. Rafael Anchía District 103; Rep. Michelle Beckley, District 65
 * Rep. Diego Bernal, District 123
 * Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, District 113
 * Rep. John H. Bucy, III, District 136
 * Rep. Elizabeth "Liz" Campos, District 119
 * Rep. Philip Cortez, District 117
 * Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, District 120
 * Rep. Vikki Goodwin, District 47
 * Rep. Ana Hernandez, District 143
 * Rep. Gina Hinojosa, District 49
 * Rep. Donna Howard, District 48
 * Rep. Ann Johnson, District 134
 * Rep. Ray Lopez, District 125
 * Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, District 116
 * Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez, District 39
 * Rep. Terry Meza, District 105
 * Rep. Ina Minjarez, District 124
 * Rep. Joe Moody, District 78
 * Rep. Penny Morales Shaw, District 148
 * Rep. Christina Morales, District 145
 * Rep. Victoria Neave, District 107
 * Rep. Lina Ortega, District 77
 * Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos, District 102
 * Rep. Jon Rosenthal, District 135
 * Rep. Senfronia Thompson, District 141
 * Rep. Chris Turner, District 101
 * Rep. John Turner, District 114
 * Rep. Armando Walle, District 140
 * Rep. Gene Wu, District 137