Be careful who you hate it could be someone you love LGBT shirt, lady tee, hoodie

At so many of our town halls, there are LGBTQ Texans who stand up and ask what we’re going to do to ensure our state is a place where everyone — that means everyone — is treated with dignity and respect, given equal justice under law. No one should blame them for asking after the Texas legislature’s actions have left many around the country with the impression that our state doesn’t stand for equality. That when people think of Texas, they think of the bathroom bill and the shameful attempt to pass anti-LGBTQ legislation. But that’s not the Texas I know.

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The Texas I know and the Texans I meet across our state are fighting for equality, for a future where all Americans can be proud of who they are, and for a state that is welcoming no matter who you love. That’s the vision, the image, of Texas I’m working to bring to the Senate. Be careful who you hate it could be someone you love.  That means finally passing the Equality Act, enacting anti-hate crime legislation, and ensuring we allow loving LGBT families in Texas to adopt one of the 30,000 Texas children in foster care…

which they can be prohibited from doing today. It means that we guarantee same-sex couples access to the same federal benefits as any other Texas family.  When it comes to our ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality, I want to make clear that as a Congressman, as a Senate candidate, and as a Texan, I will not allow hate in our state.

who you hate could be someone you love

On holding people “accountable” for things they said in the past: Here is what I hate about people dredging up what someone said in the past. For example, 2 years ago I didn’t see affordable housing as being something Doraville should be concerned with. That was my being ignorant on the reality of the housing market, how quickly it can change and rental rate increases in the area. Since that time I’ve changed my position. So do people want others to never educate themselves or change their position on anything? If you crucify them for a position they held in the past, what you are saying is: “We don’t allow people to change or grow. I don’t care what you believe now, we are only going to allow what you believed before.”

Obviously if they still hold the same position today and refuse to admit the position they held in the past was wrong, that is different. But we have to allow for people to change and grow as human beings. A great example is people who years ago weren’t LGBT friendly. If they are today, I’m willing to move on and not make them live with a position they held previously for the rest of their lives. If anyone ever pulls that “Well 6 months ago you said ….” on me, my response will be “Well I was wrong, today we are here and what I believed back then really has nothing to do with where I am on this issue right now.” I listen, I try to educate myself and yes, I will change my mind! I am willing to allow others to do the same.

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