Ricardo's Personal Fundraising Page for EQTX

I have been doing this work since I was 14 years old. Twenty five years prepared me to survive this recent legislative session. For more than six months we lived under the weight of a sustained and cruel assault on the LGBTQ+ community. It was truly exhausting and even though we stopped the 30+ anti-LGBTQ+ bill filed this session with a coalition of amazing partner orgs like HRC, TENT, ACLU, TFN and Lambda Legal, there is so much more work left to do to ensure full lived equality for LGBTQ+ Texas. 

Despite the darkness we just experienced we brought love and light to the Capitol every single time we stepped foot in that building. Every time folks showed up to the Capitol to testify, rally, speak to our representatives, speak to the media, or to distribute literature they contributed to developing a landscape where change is possible and sustainable over time. I believe all of our advocacy efforts are expressions of love.

Love showed up in force this session in these ways:

1. Parents showing up to courageously defended their children; 
2. Transgender people speaking truth-to-power during bill hearings;
3. Physicians presented facts and refuting misinformation about gender affirming care
4. Community leaders working long hours at the Capitol 
5. Lawmakers practiced active allyship by speaking out against transphobia and homophobia
6. Events like our demonstration in silence - with just a violin playing Texas our Texas was one of the most memorable moments of my life
7. Love showed up in radical empathy

Equality Texans are incredible advocates and I am so proud of each and everyone of them. If you want to/are able to contribute in honor of their work and the work that may be coming (special session) please donate today. Donations raised during Give OUT Day will help us continue our issue education to the public, lawmakers which will help change hearts and minds.