Colin Allred on Civil Rights

Transgender folks should not be discriminated against

[Republican incumbent Ted Cruz] also blasted Allred for recently signing onto a letter that urged GOP lawmakers to strike from an annual defense policy bill provisions that include "restricting medically necessary care for transgender service members" and restricting the use of Pride flags on bases. "You know what he argued for? Military bases should have drag shows and should be able to fly a transgender flag above it," Cruz said. "Call me old-fashioned--I think the only flag that should fly above our military base should be the American flag."

Guarantee civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans

LGBT Rights: Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?
• Colin Allred (D):Expand. "LGBTQ+ Texans deserve a Senator who will listen to and fight for them." Sponsored two bills guaranteeing federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans and same-sex couples.
• Ted Cruz (R):Limit. Opposed federal protection of same-sex marriage: each state should decide. Sponsored a bill banning trans athletes in women's sports.

Infrastructure law combats economic, racial disparities

CC:Protect sexual preference as a civil right.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Make Sexual Preference a Protected Minority Status under Civil Rights Laws' Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."

Sponsored bill for ratifying Equal Rights Amendment.

H.J.Res.17: Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment: This joint resolution eliminates the deadline for the ratification of the ERA, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The amendment was proposed to the states in House Joint Resolution 208 of the 92nd Congress, as agreed to in the Senate on March 22, 1972. The amendment shall be part of the Constitution whenever ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.

Opinion to vote YES (Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL-7): The ERA was first proposed in 1923, shortly after women gained the right to vote. [The original] 1979 deadline was later extended before it expired. By the end of 1982, 35 of the 38 required state legislatures had voted to ratify the ERA. Nevada ratified the ERA in 2017, Illinois in 2018 and, in January 2020, Virginia became the 38th and final state required to ratify it. If passed in the Senate, H.J. Res. 79 would remove the arbitrary 1982 deadline.

Opinion to vote NO (Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1): H. J. Res 17 would retroactively remove the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Regardless of your thoughts on the ERA, the deadline for the states to ratify the amendment expired four decades ago. By passing this resolution, House Democrats are virtue signaling and trying to take a shortcut around what is required in our constitutional amendment process. Those who want to pass an ERA will need to start this process from the beginning. Today`s vote mocks the intentionally high bar set by our Founders to make changes to our precious Constitution.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 222-204-4 on 03/17/2021; received in the Senate and read on 3/23. [OnTheIssues notes on the duration for ratification that the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by Congress in 1789 and was ratified by 3/4 of the States and became law in 1992, a ratification period of 202 years].