Date: Wed, 2 Jun 1999 12:35:17 -0500 From: Kevin Ivers Subject: LCR Review of 76th Texas Legislative Session FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Log Cabin Republicans of Texas Contact: Ronald Bounds Phone: 512-371-3585 E-Mail: rjb78705@aol.com Log Cabin/Texas Advances Cause for Equal Rights in 76th Legislative Session Republicans begin to recognize homophobia and bigotry as legislative losers (AUSTIN, TX) -- A growing number of Republicans in the 76th Texas Legislature recognize the need to prohibit government-sponsored discrimination against gays, says the Log Cabin Republicans of Texas. The top priority of the organization's lobbying effort this session was to stop the enactment of anti-gay legislation which would have prohibited gays from becoming adoptive and foster parents in Texas. The group invested much of its resources into lobbying Republican members of the House State Affairs committee and other influential House Republicans on these important issues. The group credits the defeat of the anti-gay adoption and foster care bills to these efforts. "Since House Republicans were carrying omnibus bills on other adoption and foster care issues, one of our priorities was to ensure that those sponsors would not accept any anti-gay amendments by Representatives Chisum and Talton," said Ronald Bounds, Legislative Director of Log Cabin/Texas. "In the end, there was no germane legislation for Chisum and Talton to pounce on. The Republican leadership was responsive to our requests to keep such legislation from reaching the House floor." Bounds further commented, "We were also proud to participate in the hearings on the anti-gay adoption and foster care bills. Liz Vilven's testimony on behalf of Log Cabin/Texas clearly moved everyone. We felt that it was important for members of the House State Affairs committee to hear directly from a heterosexual child who had been raised by gay parents on this legislation." LCR/Texas President Steve Labinski said that the group also focused on lobbying Republicans this session on HB 938, the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act. "In previous years, we saw only one or two House Republicans vote for the Hate Crimes bill. This year nine Republicans voted for it," said Labinski. Labinski pointed to the group's Lobby Day as a catalyst for several Republican votes on the bill. "Just days before the Hate Crimes vote occurred in the House, we coordinated a statewide effort to bring gays and parents of gays to Austin to meet with their Republican legislators. It was important for these legislators to see and hear from mainstream Republicans who believed that we should have a tough Hate Crimes law in Texas," said Labinski. Dallas City Council Member John Loza, Texas' first elected openly gay Republican and former Assistant District Attorney, testified before the Senate Criminal Justice committee on behalf of LCR/Texas about the need for a constitutional Hate Crimes law which would assist law enforcement officers. Loza drew attention to a Hate Crimes resolution passed by the city council earlier this year which included sexual orientation as a protected category and asked that the legislators look to that resolution as a model in passing a statewide Hate Crimes law. Bounds said that the failure of the Hate Crimes bill in the Senate was very disappointing. "Unfortunately, the bill's failure in the Senate points out that the Religious Right still has a stranglehold on elements within the Republican Party in Texas. This is why its so important for gay Republicans to continue to have dialogue with legislators both in the Senate and in the House," said Bounds. Labinski commented that this session shows that anti-gay forces are losing ground in the Texas Legislature. "Organized opposition to the Hate Crimes bill was weaker then ever. Anti-gay adoption and foster care bills were filed but went nowhere. As Republicans gain more and more control of the Legislature, it is more important than ever that our organization is present to educate them on issues of central importance to the gay community," said Labinski. The Log Cabin Republicans of Texas intend to grow its lobbying presence in Austin and build on its accomplishments this session. "We will continue to carry our message of equal treatment under the law for gays to an increasing number of receptive GOP legislators next session," said Labinski. Log Cabin Republicans Kevin Ivers (202) 347-5306 phone Director of Public Affairs (202) 347-5224 fax http://www.lcr.org