First LGBTQ Caucus in Texas House pushes back against critics

Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz of Dallas, left to right, Rev. Naomi L. Brown of San Antonio, and Rev. Andries Coetzee of San Antonio hold hands with other clergy in prayer as faith leaders from Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas gather to speak against the growing efforts to turn religion into a license to discriminate, and calling for laws that treat everyone including LGBTQ Texans, with equality, fairness and respect, at the State Capitol in Austin, TX, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. less Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz of Dallas, left to right, Rev. Naomi L. Brown of San Antonio, and Rev. Andries Coetzee of San Antonio hold hands with other clergy in prayer as faith leaders from Austin, San Antonio, and ... more Photo: Bob Owen, STAFF-photographer / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Bob Owen, STAFF-photographer / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close First LGBTQ Caucus in Texas House pushes back against critics 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

The Texas House’s first LGBTQ Caucus gathered Wednesday in support of efforts to make Texas laws more inclusive of same-sex relationships and transgender rights.

The five-member group was joined by faith leaders and heads of LGBTQ chambers of commerce in a display of unity after Christian advocacy group Texas Values challenged bills that would make it illegal to discriminate against people in housing, public accommodations and employment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In Texas, there are no state laws protecting those groups from discrimination, though some cities — including Houston, Austin and San Antonio — have adopted anti-discrimination ordinances.

“The Bible I read does not tell me to discriminate against my neighbor, but to love my neighbor and to treat everyone as I would like to be treated,” said the Rev. Michael Diaz, associate pastor of Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas, at a news conference on the steps of the Capitol. “Like the majority of Texans, I believe it’s time our state laws reflect the same sense of respect to gay and transgender Texans.”

The group Texas Values says the efforts of the caucus and its supporters amount to an attack on religious freedom.

Texas Values is also challenging bills authored by LGBTQ Caucus members state Reps. Ana Hernandez, D-Houston, and Celia Israel, D-Austin. The bills include penalties for counselors and therapists who attempt to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

“These ‘Ban the Bible’ bills at the Texas Legislature are an aggressive effort to create excessive government control over people’s lives. Creating more government control and threatening Christians with jail time or fines is putting personal politics over constitutional liberty,” said Jonathan Saenz, Texas Values president.

State Rep. Jessica González, D-Dallas, a member of the LGBTQ Caucus, responded:

"Religious liberty is a fundamental American value. But 'religious liberty' does not mean that certain people get special rights to discriminate against others," she said. "A license to discriminate is not necessary for anyone to live their faith."

The bills Texas Values opposes include:

House Bill 1190 by Hernandez and House Bill 517 by Israel, which would provide penalties for mental health providers who engage in “unprofessional conduct” by attempting to change the sexual orientation of a child.

House Bill 978 by state Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, which would amend the Texas Family Code to use gender-neutral language when discussing marriage — changing references to “man and woman” or “husband and wife” to “two individuals” or “spouses.” The bill would also amend the Health and Safety Code to remove provisions regarding the criminality or unacceptability of “homosexual conduct.”

House Bill 244 by state Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, House Bill 254 by state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, and Senate Bill 151 by state Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression in jobs, public accommodations and housing.

Senate Bill 154, by Rodríguez, which would allow an individual to apply for a new birth certificate with a change to their name and sex by providing a sworn affidavit by a physician instead of a court order, as mandated under current state law.

Other LGBTQ Caucus members includes state Reps. Mary González, D-El Paso; Julie Johnson, D-Carrollton; and Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood.

sami.sparber@chron.com

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a comment from state Rep. Jessica González.