Equality Texas Blog

Happy Thanksgiving from Equality Texas

"Thankful"

Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for.

Words and music by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager and Richard Page

"Gay-baiting" and supporting equality are mutually exclusive. Period.

Equality Texas has not made an endorsement in the Texas House District 76 race in El Paso. With few exceptions, we only make endorsements in general elections, not in party primary races.

 

 

The runoff in the Democratic Party primary between incumbent State Representative Norma Chavez (right, in photo) and challenger Naomi Gonzalez (left, in photo) has taken an ugly turn, however, and forced an evaluation of what it really means to support equality for all Texans.

 

 

At a recent campaign event, Chavez “gay-baited” Gonzalez stating, “I have not attacked her for being a lesbian gay woman." Chavez is also quoted as saying, "I have accepted my biker community.  She needs to accept her gay community."

 

Chavez claims the sexual orientation of her opponent is relevant because it might affect policy decisions about “gay marriage.” That is outright bull.

 

“Gay-baiting” seeks to bring down an opponent by playing to old-fashioned, untrue, and negative stereotypes associated with a person’s sexual orientation.  It plays on hate, fear, ignorance and misunderstanding.

 

The only reason Chavez “gay-baited” her opponent is because the race is close; Chavez believes she can use sexual orientation as a weapon.  “Gay-baiting” is a cheap shot. It’s a smokescreen intended to divert attention away from real issues and real solutions.

 

Supporting equality – equality where all Texans are treated equally regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression – is incompatible with “gay-baiting” an opponent.

 

Chavez has crossed the line.

Any candidate who uses “gay-baiting” as a campaign tactic cannot rightfully claim to support equality.  That includes Norma Chavez.

Posted by Chuck Smith, Interim Executive Director

Watch for new web content

Watch for new web content in the next 2 weeks as Equality Texas launches a new, expanded web presence, including an upgraded, interactive primary website and integrated web 2.0 social networking sites and this blog.

We are making it easier than ever to stay informed about our advocacy and lobbying work at the Texas Capitol, and we need you engaged in the process in order to make it successful.

Get engaged in the movement for equality in Texas.

YOU make equality happen.

Posted by:

  Chuck Smith, Deputy Director

Welcome to the Equality Texas Blog!

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