The San Antonio Report Commentary provides a space for our community to share perspectives and offer solutions to pressing local issues. The views expressed in this commentary belong solely to the author.
In August, a federal judge in Texas expanded the Biden administration’s ruling striking down protections for LGBTQ+ students, in addition to preemptively blocking future Title IX regulations that protect LGBTQ+ students.
Texas has been fighting an internal battle for decades. August’s decision is just one in a series of hateful and discriminatory policies that continue to emerge from states every year. As we look back and brace ourselves for Congress in 2025, one question arises. Why do these same Texas lawmakers claim to be pro-business and then persistently find new ways to act against those interests?
Two very prominent anti-LGBTQ+ bills in recent years are Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 15. The former was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge last year, which called for a ban on drag shows in Texas. The latter banned transgender children from participating in K-12 and college athletics. Even though 70% of Texans oppose LGBTQ+ discrimination, we continue to see hateful and discriminatory laws introduced every year by legislators who seem determined to strip gay people of their dignity. I am witnessing brainstorming one after another.
The impact of these hateful extremist laws is clear. Many Texans have already left the state and have no plans to look back. A GoFundMe page and real estate website have been set up to help LGBTQ+ people “escape.” Many did not want to leave. Many have roots in Texas since the late 19th century. Meanwhile, those who choose to stay face an increasingly undesirable environment.
Texas has one of the worst business climates in the country for LGBTQ+ workers. Top talent is being forced out of Texas businesses that are helpless against the state’s hostility. Employees who don’t feel safe at work won’t stay and companies will experience higher turnover rates. It costs a Texas company an average of $9,740 to replace a Texas employee and an average of $510,500 to replace a senior executive. These numbers are only going to increase.
In states without laws protecting LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination, they risk being fired for their identity. In one case, an art teacher was placed on administrative leave for simply showing a photo of his wife to a student. The parents who complained also claimed that the teacher promoted a “homosexual agenda” by referring to artist Jasper Johns as the boyfriend of another artist, Robert Rauschenberg.
The irrational panic and paranoia targeting LGBTQ+ people will only get worse. Radicalized school boards are instructing school librarians to scour bookshelves for books that explore gender identity and sexual orientation. This is more than just an insult to educators who create safe spaces for students. It’s also harmful to queer kids, who find comfort, solace, and validation in the stories they read about kids just like them.
If our state does not stop this campaign of hate against queer Texans of all ages, the Texas Miracle will disappear. A 2024 survey of both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ workers showed that nearly 77% of respondents were reluctant to apply for jobs in states with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Why would companies relocate to Texas, where their extreme policies keep top talent away?
Texas Stonewall Democrats believe that homophobia, transphobia, racism, and sexism should be used in every aspect of life, especially when it is incorporated into the laws governing the state and institutionalized for years to come. We’ve seen how it affects the area. Companies know this is not the place to build business, and more than 100 companies, including Southwest Airlines and Dell, have already asked the state to end its discriminatory policies. We can’t let this go on any longer.
In the coming legislative session, instead of continuing to irrevocably tarnish our state’s reputation, lawmakers must promote the environment of opportunity, innovation, and entrepreneurship that Texas was built on.
