Wanted to post a quick note about a subject that I think warrants a lot of attention, but about which I have yet to see a post.
Former Assistant United States Attorney and Assistant Dallas County District Attorney Rafael De La Garza announces today that he has switched parties and filed for the Democratic nomination for Criminal District Attorney of Collin County. Earlier this morning, Mr. De La Garza submitted to the Collin County Republican Party a certificate of withdrawal of his previously submitted candidate filing for the Republican nomination for Collin County District Attorney.
(From the press release, via the Quorum Report)
Yes, it's a story about a party switcher. But this time, it's a local official switching from the GOP to the Dems. What's most significant, of course, is that this is happening in Collin County.
This is a repost from the Equality Texas blog at EqualityTexas.org. But don't worry, I'll hang around.
Last night the LGBT and allied community suffered through some agonizing election returns. We won some. We lost a big one. How do you evaluate such a mixed bag of election results across the nation? Then, how do you apply those lessons to the movement for equality in general?
It's not as hard as you think.
We won.
No, we didn't win everything. The big prize of marriage in Maine got away. Still, we won. Let's take stock.
This is a repost from the Equality Texas blog at EqualityTexas.org. But don't worry, I'll hang around.
Last night the LGBT and allied community suffered through some agonizing election returns. We won some. We lost a big one. How do you evaluate such a mixed bag of election results across the nation? Then, how do you apply those lessons to the movement for equality in general?
It's not as hard as you think.
We won.
No, we didn't win everything. The big prize of marriage in Maine got away. Still, we won. Let's take stock.
This is a repost from our blog at Equalitytexas.org. I'll hang around to answer questions and comments. But, check out our website, and help us out.
Federal Hate Crimes Legislation - A Grim Victory
Today, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. It is an important, yet grim, victory for the LGBT and other targeted communities. Among other important steps, the Act marks the first time federal law has referred to "gender identity" in a positive manner and offered transgender persons some form of protection.
It has taken 13 years, untold victims, multiple deaths, and the efforts of survivors, loved ones and activists to get the Hate Crimes Act passed. No one, of course, expects the Act to actually end hate crimes. However, the hope is that by granting the federal government the jurisdiction and resources to prosecute hate crimes people will become more aware, and educated, about hate crimes--eventually leading to an overall reduction in this, one of the most hideous forms of violence.
I wanted to remind everyone attending the Texas conventions, tomorrow, that there actually are other things to think about other than just that presidential vote! Who'd of thunk?
One, or actually quite a few, of those things are the many worthwhile resolutions to vote for to effect change in the Texas Democratic Party Platform. Which resolutions are up for a vote depends upon two things: 1) which resolutions got introduced and passed at the precinct conventions, and 2) which resolutions the Local Platform and Resolutions Committees decide to pass on for a vote by the delegates.
I'm pushing two resolutions:
Non-Discrimination Resolution: would call on the Democratic party to support legislation to end discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,
Safe Schools Resolution: calls on the Democratic Party to pass legislation requiring school districts to adopt model policies on bullying and harassment-to prevent some of the terrible tragedies we've been hearing about these days.
