Austin, TX
LGBTQ+ advocates rally at Texas Capitol against legislation targeting transgender Texans
Supporters of Texas’ LGBTQ+ community rallied at the state Capitol in Austin on Friday, just hours before the Texas House was scheduled to take up two bills advocates say would negatively impact transgender people in Texas.
“I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a little bit of bad luck to continue to say, ‘This can’t get worse.’ It can get worse if we do nothing,” Rep. Venton Jones said.
Jones, a Dallas Democratic and Texas House member, was among several to speak before a sign-waving crowd gathered in the outdoor Capitol rotunda Friday morning.
Michael Minasi
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KUT News
While House Bill 229 and House Bill 778 address different topics, Emmett Schelling with the Transgender Education Network of Texas said both were “another step further in pushing the trans community out of public life and out of existence.” If passed, HB 229 would require that Texas government agencies define and collect sex-based data using strict binary terms — as in: man, woman, male, female. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and advocates told the crowd the legislation is unnecessary and harmful to people who are intersex.
Ash Hall, a policy and advocacy strategist with the ACLU of Texas, believes the legislation is deliberately hateful.
“House Bill 229 enshrines a narrow, exclusive, transphobic definition of sex into our state’s laws, erases intersex people, and makes it harder for trans people to have legal recognition,” Hall said during Friday’s rally.
But supporters of the legislation disagree. Cindy Asmussen, public policy advisor for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, testified last month in favor of the proposal, saying scripture is clear.
“Gender is God-given, and these gender distinctions are rooted in creation and manifested in clear biological differences that transcend social customs and cultural stereotypes,” Asmussen said before a panel of House lawmakers in April.
The bill also defines “female” and “woman” as an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce eggs — language that’s troubling to some women who’ve already gone through menopause.
Michael Minasi
/
KUT News
Meanwhile, HB 778 would require health care plans to cover costs of “gender transition adverse effects and reversals.”
Martha Shoultz, a mother from Dallas, testified in favor of the bill earlier this session, saying the proposal could help her child who began taking hormones while in college.
“Please help all our confused children by making insurance coverage mandatory for the consequences of gender transition,” Shoultz asked lawmakers.
Brad Pritchett is the interim CEO of Equality Texas. He said, while that last part may sound like it would be a helpful change to Texas law, the real world impact could mean health insurance will be harder to come by.
“It would make it so expensive to cover healthcare for trans people that it would be out of reach for most trans Texans,” Pritchett said. “Now, it looks like insurance. But it feels like a tax on trans existence.”
That bill has already passed the Senate, while HB 229 does not have a companion bill in the Senate.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed concern Monday about two items on the Austin Transit Partnership Board agenda later this week, one to negotiate an office lease in a downtown office building for up to $32 million for roughly 8 years and another to furnish the space for $15 million. READ MORE: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/inappropriate-mayor-pushes-back-on-47m-light-rail-office-relocation-plan/
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George Strait thrilled fans with an unforgettable concert at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, delivering a set packed with his signature No. 1 hits. The country music legend’s return to the stage after nearly four years left some wondering how much longer he plans to continue performing, as Strait has hinted at retirement in the past.
Why it matters
As one of the most influential and successful country artists of all time, George Strait’s concerts have become must-see events for his devoted fanbase. This performance in Austin showcased Strait’s enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career.
The details
Strait’s concert at the Moody Center on Thursday night was his first at the venue since April 2022. The show featured a hit-filled setlist that had the capacity crowd singing along. Strait shared a video on Instagram teasing the performance, writing ‘What a night Austin, TX! Who’s ready to do it again on Saturday?’ While the video didn’t show any full performances, it did include a snippet of Strait singing his 2024 single ‘Three Drinks Down’.
- Strait last performed at the Moody Center in April 2022.
- He is scheduled to play another show at the Moody Center on Saturday, April 13, 2026.
What they’re saying
“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks…it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did.”
— George Strait
What’s next
Strait is scheduled to perform another show at the Moody Center in Austin on Saturday, April 13, 2026, giving fans another chance to see the country legend in action.
The takeaway
George Strait’s epic return to the Moody Center stage in Austin underscores his enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career. Fans cherished the opportunity to witness the ‘King of Country Music’ deliver a hit-filled set, leaving them to wonder how much longer they’ll be able to see Strait perform live.
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Strong storms moved through Central Texas on Sunday, causing damage near Schulenburg in Fayette County and prompting tornado warnings in Burnet and San Saba counties. The National Weather Service said the damage in Fayette County was likely caused by straight-line winds, not a tornado. No injuries were reported, but a barn was blown over and trees and power lines were downed.
Why it matters
Severe weather events like this can cause significant property damage and disrupt power and transportation in affected areas. Understanding the nature of the storms, whether they produced tornadoes or straight-line winds, is important for assessing the risks and preparing communities for future severe weather.
The details
Storms moved through the region on Sunday, with tornado warnings issued in Burnet and San Saba counties. In Fayette County near Schulenburg, a metal building was blown over, a barn was destroyed, and trees and power lines were downed by what the National Weather Service said were straight-line winds, not a tornado. No injuries were reported.
- Tornado warnings were issued in Burnet and San Saba counties on Sunday.
- Storms and damage were reported in Fayette County, near Schulenburg, on Sunday.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings.
Judson Ulrich
A resident who sent in a photo of a large tree branch that snapped and fell during the storms.
Kaylee Houston
A resident who sent in a photo of a trampoline blown into a tree by the storms.
Karey Ann Ann Kalich
A resident who sent in photos of a metal building blown over by the storms.
Danielle Buckley
A resident who sent in a photo of a tree struck by lightning during the storms.
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What’s next
The National Weather Service will continue to assess the damage and determine the exact nature of the storms that moved through the region on Sunday.
The takeaway
This severe weather event highlights the importance of being prepared for sudden and powerful storms, which can cause significant damage even without producing tornadoes. Residents in affected areas should remain vigilant and heed any future weather warnings.
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