WHEREAS, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community represents

countless U.S. and Texas residents from a range of racial, ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, and
geographic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, the LGBTQ community seeks the same safeguards from discrimination that all
Americans seek in employment, housing, healthcare, and education; and
WHEREAS, discrimination, in any form, against gay and transgender individuals runs contrary
to U.S., Texas, and El Paso County values of equality, respect, and dignity; and
WHEREAS, policies that deprive our fellow Americans and Texans of their fair and equal
treatment under the law harm our communities, families, businesses, and our society; and
WHEREAS, history has demonstrated that rhetoric and discourse that promotes fear,
intolerance, and hate can manifest into the darkest and most horrific of human actions and
transgressions against one another; and
WHEREAS, the El Paso region and its residents have a long and enduring history of human,
social, and civil justice, and will continue to be a stalwart for equality under the law for all
people; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the El Paso County Judge and Commissioners
Court, that the County of El Paso opposes the harmful rhetoric aimed at the LGBTQ community
by state leaders and the County of El Paso opposes legislation during the 85th Texas Legislature
that:
Deprives due process to members of the LGBTQ community;
Creates barriers to recognition and integration by the LGBTQ community;
Provides incentives and protections for the private sector to discriminate against the LGBTQ
community; and
Limits access to healthcare, education, and use of public facilities to the LGBTQ community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the El Paso County Judge and Commissioners Court that
the Texas Legislature is urged to dedicate its efforts to policy areas with real, demonstrated
areas of need, such as focusing on our underfunded education system, expanding access to
healthcare, funding transportation and infrastructure, and protecting the human and civil rights
of all Texans.
SIGNED, this 29th day of August 2016

______________________________
Commissioner Carlos Leon, Pct. 1

_____________________________
Commissioner Vincent M. Perez, Pct. 3

_________________________________
Commissioner David Stout, Pct. 2

_________________________________
Commissioner Andrew R. Haggerty, Pct. 4

________________________________
Veronica Escobar
County Judge