Tag Archives: marc veasey

Veasey does NOH8 shoot; Hall mistakenly attends gay event

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Rep. Marc Veasey, left

Rep. Marc Veasey, left

While one North Texas congressman participated in a photo shoot supporting marriage equality last week, another recently attended a reception for an LGBT group — by mistake.

“This morning, I participated in a NOH8 Campaign photo shoot with over 60 members of Congress,” Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, wrote on his Facebook page on June 13. “As a member of the House LGBT Equality Caucus, I am proud to stand in support of marriage equality and equal rights for all Americans.”

He posted the photo above from tho shoot.

“Stay tuned for the official portrait,” he said.

Continue reading “Veasey does NOH8 shoot; Hall mistakenly attends gay event” »

—  David Taffet

LGBT advocates say federal ENDA to be introduced in Congress on Thursday

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ENDA Houston 4The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is expected to be reintroduced in both chambers of Congress on Thursday.

The bill would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT advocates have been reviewing the legislation the past few months to revise language for small companies and religious entities that would be exempt. However, the changes are not expected to be in the introduced bill, the Washington Blade reports.

In the last session, 40 senators and 171 representatives signed as co-sponsors to the bill. More are expected this session, especially since an increasing number of senators have come out for marriage equality. Dallas Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson was a co-sponsor last session, and freshman Reps. Marc Veasey and Beto O’Rourke are expected to support the legislation.

Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work, told the Blade the organization wanted the legislation advanced quickly and hoped to time a vote in the Senate with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in two marriage equality cases.

“After the Supreme Court rules in the Windsor marriage case, many right-wingers are going to denounce marriage equality for same-sex couples, but claim that they don’t believe in discrimination against LGBT Americans,” Almeida said. “That’s the time when we should call some of those bluffs by putting ENDA on the Senate floor and letting all 100 senators go on the record about whether hardworking Americans should get fired just because of who they are or who they love.”

In Texas, a bill to prohibit statewide job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender expression had a hearing in the Senate, but was left pending in committee.

The House versions of the bill, HB 238 by San Antonio Rep. Mike Villarreal and HB 1146 Dallas Democrat Eric Johnson, have hearings scheduled Wednesday in the Economic and Small Business Development Committee.

—  Anna Waugh

Congressman Marc Veasey issues statement on Prop 8, DOMA cases

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Official Photo_Rep Marc Veasey

Rep. Marc Veasey

Freshman Congressman Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, reminded his North Texas constituents Tuesday that he is committed to fighting for full equality for LGBT citizens.

Veasey released the following statement today following the opening arguments in the Proposition 8 case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to the LGBT community,” the statement reads.

“It is my hope that the justices of the nation’s highest court rule that committed same-sex couples have civil and constitutional rights. The struggle for equality has taken us from Stonewall to the Supreme Court.

“As decades of progress have changed attitudes and opened hearts, I will continue to fight for members of the LGBT community until they have full equality under the law.”

—  Anna Waugh

WATCH: Congressman Marc Veasey calls for LGBT immigration equality

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Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey addresses Stonewall Democrats at Ojeda’s on Tuesday night. (John Wright/Dallas Voice)

Comprehensive immigration reform must include equal rights for same-sex binational couples, Congressman Marc Veasey told Stonewall Democrats of Dallas on Tuesday night.

“Any bill we pass does not go far enough if same-sex language is not included,” Veasey said. “It absolutely has to be necessary.”

President Barack Obama also supports including a provision in immigration reform to allow gay Americans to sponsor their immigrant partners for legal residency. However, key House Republicans are opposed to the idea, setting up a potential showdown over the issue.

Veasey, a freshman Democrat who represents North Texas’ newest congressional district, pointed out that he became the first member of Congress to bring a DREAMer to the State of the Union last week.

“I support the president 100 percent on the principles that he’s laid out,” Veasey said, referring to Obama’s immigration reform proposals.

Continue reading “WATCH: Congressman Marc Veasey calls for LGBT immigration equality” »

—  John Wright

Dallas, Tarrant County Stonewall Dems endorse in general election

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Marc Veasey

Stonewall Democrats of Dallas members voted unanimously Tuesday to endorse state Rep. Marc Veasey for Congress and municipal court Judge Phyllis Lister Brown for district judge in the general election.

Stonewall had endorsed other candidates in the primary, but Veasey and Brown won their runoffs. Veasey is running for the new Congressional District 33 and Brown is seeking election to become judge of the 162nd civil district court.

At last week’s Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats meeting, the group voted on a slate endorsement of the Democratic ticket in Tarrant County with a special mention of Veasey, state Sen. Wendy Davis, Nicole Collier in House District 95, Lon Burnam in House District 90 and Chris Turner in House District 101.

Tarrant Stonewall doesn’t endorse in primaries, so President Felipe Guttierez said the special mention just highlights the group’s strategic plan to get those Tarrant County candidates elected.

—  Anna Waugh

Veasey defeats Garcia in District 33

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Marc Veasey

Amid endless cheers and applause, State Rep. Marc Veasey addressed hundreds of North Texas supporters at Victory Arts Center as the first congressman of District 33.

Veasey beat former state Rep. Domingo Garcia with 53 percent of the vote for the district that spans Tarrant and Dallas counties.

“I’m honored that you’ve trusted me and I promise you that I will be your voice in Washington,” Veasey said. “I promise you that I will be your voice and we will stand together.”

Gay Fort Worth City Councilmember Joel Burns was among Veasey’s supporters present Tuesday night.

He told Instant Tea that Veasey’s strong record on LGBT issues would be consistent in Washington.

Garcia spoke to supporters at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff. Several hundred people gathered there hoping he would become the first Hispanic congressman from North Texas.

Veasey is expected to easily win the general election in November.

More coverage of the runoffs in Friday’s Dallas Voice.

- with reports from Fort Worth by Anna Waugh

—  David Taffet

RUNOFF ELECTION: Early voting puts Veasey, Cruz ahead

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State Rep. Marc Veasey had an 8 percent lead on Domingo Garcia with early voting totals in Tuesday’s Democratic runoff.

Veasey earned 54 percent of the vote for the new Congressional District 33 that spans Tarrant and Dallas counties. Garcia earned 46 percent of the vote.

Garcia led in early voting totals in Dallas county with 71 percent to Veasey’s 29 percent. In Tarrant County, Veasey got 58 percent compared to Garcia’s 42 percent.

In the Republican Primary runoff, Ted Cruz was ahead of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst with 52 percent statewide compared to Dewhurst’s 48 percent.

Stay tuned to Instant Tea for more runoff results.

—  Anna Waugh

CORRECTION: Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsed Domingo Garcia in runoff for CD 33

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Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsed former state Rep. Domingo Garcia in the Democratic Primary for Congressional District 33 and in the July 31 runoff against state Rep. Marc Veasey. A story in Friday’s print edition said otherwise, and we regret the error.

Early voting begins Monday, July 23, and runs until Friday, July 27, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. For a list of early voting locations and times, go to DalCoElections.org or TarrantCounty.com/evote.

Read our full story about the runoff in CD 33 here.

—  Anna Waugh

Garcia to Stonewall Dems: ‘Help me make history’

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Dallas attorney Domingo Garcia spoke to an energized crowd at the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas meeting Tuesday night about the importance of voting early to help him make history.

SDD endorsed Garcia in the race for the new Congressional District 33. He faces state Rep. Marc Veasey in the July 31 runoff. Veasey spoke last week at the Tarrant County Stonewall meeting. Garcia, who has picked up some Tarrant County support, did not attend that meeting but didn’t have to remind the Dallas Stonewall group about his LGBT support.

While serving on the Dallas City Council from 1991-95, Garcia was a strong proponent of the Dallas police lifting a ban on hiring gays and lesbians and supported adding sexual orientation to the city’s policy protecting employees against discrimination. When he went on to serve in the Texas House in 1996 until 2002, he voted for an LGBT-inclusive hate crimes bill in 2001.

Garcia thanked the group Tuesday night amid loud applause and cheers and said the group’s endorsement helped him survive the 11-candidate primary. Calling it a “turnout election,” Garcia said it was vital for voters to vote in the runoff July 31 and early-vote beginning Monday.

“This is crucial,” he said. “If Dallas can turn out more voters, then we really have a shot at winning District 33.”

Garcia is vying to become the first Hispanic elected to Congress in North Texas, something he mentioned Tuesday as he reminded the audience to help him make history.

“I want you to help me make history as we elect the first Democrat Congressman in District 33,” he said. “That victory won’t happen unless we get out our vote.”

Read more about the runoff for District 33 in Friday’s edition of Dallas Voice.

—  Anna Waugh

Veasey touts vote against marriage amendment, says LGBT community is “galvanized” behind him

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State Rep. Marc Veasey addresses the crowd at a Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats meeting July 9. (Anna Waugh/Dallas Voice)

With 13 days left until early voting for the runoff begins, it’s crunch time for both state Rep. Marc Veasey and former state Rep. Domingo Garcia to gain voters in the other’s county.

Both Veasey and Garcia were scheduled to speak at the Tarrant County Stonewall Democrats meeting Monday night, but Garcia was unable to attend at the last minute.

Instead, Bexar County Democratic Party Chair Choco Meza spoke briefly on his behalf.

Meza, who lives in San Antonio but was in the area visiting family, said she wanted to come speak on Garcia’s behalf because she’s known him most of her adult life. She said she wouldn’t give up time with her family to speak to strangers “if I didn’t believe so strongly like I do about Domingo.”

She reminded the audience that Garcia was “in the forefront in any legislation regarding LGBT issues when he served in the Legislature” from 1996 to 2002, where he voted for a hate crimes bill that includess sexual orientation in 2001.

State Rep. Marc Veasey then spoke to the large crowd of about 50 people amid cheers and applause. A large majority of the audience was sporting Veasey campaign stickers.

Veasey was the top vote-getter in the primary, winning Tarrant County and coming in second in Dallas County.

Veasey said he couldn’t have come so far without the help from supporters in Tarrant County and the LGBT supporters from the county.

“It’s because of you and your belief in me and you being willing to stand up for my record, and that’s why we ran such a good strong campaign the first round,” he said.

Highlighting that he won a precinct in Dallas with the most LGBT families, he said he was gaining momentum among Dallas County voters to secure a win on July 31.

“The LGBT community has really galvanized behind me and I’m really proud of that,” he said. “I want to know that not just because of that but because it’s the right thing to do, that when I go to Congress that you can always count on me to be a strong advocate on the issues that are important to your families and to your community.”

In closing, he reminded the audience of his freshman year in the state House in 2005, when he voted against an amendment to the Texas Constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions when others representatives walked out of the vote or voted with Republicans.

“I’ll never forget that day,” he said. “I saw people that quite frankly that shouldn’t have done it, but I saw people walk off the House floor because they didn’t want to take that vote.

“I never skip votes and I can promise you that when those votes that are important to the LGBT community come onto the United States House floor, that I will be there fighting for you.”

A debate between Veasey and Garcia will air tonight on KERA at 10 p.m. with encores played at 7:30 p.m. Friday and noon Sunday. It will also play on KERA 90.1 FM at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Watch the debate below.

Watch The Texas Debates: Congressional District 33 on PBS. See more from KERA Specials.

—  Anna Waugh