What’s Bad for Queers Is Also Bad for Texas

During a Capitol press conference on Dec. 6, the Texas Association of Business strongly cautioned that if Texas legislators pass discriminatory bills this session it would result in a "dire and far reaching" impact on the Texas economy. The conservative pro-business group – and unlikely LGBTQ allies – said the state could be in jeopardy of losing at least $8.5 billion in GDP and 185,000 jobs. The study, conducted by St. Edward's University, also found that anti-LGBTQ bills would drastically impact Texas' convention and tourism industry, which infuses $69 billion into the economy. Anti-LGBTQ bills have already started trickling in, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has long proposed an anti-transgender "bathroom bill" similar to the one passed in North Carolina. Duff Stewart of Austin-based GSD&M and Hugh Forrest with SXSW stood alongside TAB members to highlight how impending bills would impede recruitment and competition, while Austin Reps. Donna Howard and Celia Israel vowed to fight against discriminatory legislation.