Molly Cook marks a historic milestone as she becomes Texas's first openly LGBTQ+ State Senator

Progress Texas: Deep In The Heart of Pride: A Celebration of Pride Month in Texas

On June 28, 1969, The Stonewall Inn, a pub in Greenwich Village, was raided by the New York Police Department.  When the police turned aggressive, the LGBTQ+ patrons of Stonewall and other lesbian and gay establishments in the neighborhood rioted for more than six days. Every year in June, during Pride Month, the Stonewall uprisings are remembered as a turning point in the gay liberation struggle. 

Pride month is a time to look to the past—to draw pride and inspiration from revolutionary LGBTQ+ ancestors, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, and channel their defiance into the present. Right now we are experiencing multiple attacks on LGBTQ+ Texans from extreme MAGA Republicans in the state. From criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare, to banning books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and limiting the educational curriculum on sex and gender identity. 

This Pride month let's reflect on how far we have come and celebrate what we are fighting for in the future. LGBTQ+ representation in Texas politics is on the rise as Molly Cook marks a historic milestone as she becomes Texas's first openly LGBTQ+ State Senator. Julie Johnson is paving her way to victory to become Texas's first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Texas and the South. Additionally, Lauren Ashley Simmons is replacing anti-LGBTQ incumbent Shawn Thierry in the Texas House. These historic wins in the state underscore a change in the political landscape, reflecting the growing diversity within the state's political sphere.