For most of my life I knew a truth about myself that I could not say out loud. I carried a badge in a Texas town. I raised children. I have been married to the same person for 46 years….
As Trump slams Democratic ‘jihadists,’ Islamophobic candidates get bounced
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump may get away with Islamophobic language, but the same language is backfiring on some Republicans in midterm primaries. Several Republicans who have drawn national attention for outrageous comments about Muslims lost their…
Texas needs a ‘detransition clinic’ like I need a hairbrush
Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott have sold the state of Texas a pack of lies about transgender people, and lives are in danger as a result. Paxton, our controversial attorney general who is running for the U.S. Senate, and Abbott,…
CAIR links San Diego murders to Republican-fueled Islamophobia
It’s hardly a surprise that the shooters who killed three people at a California mosque May 18 were motivated by hate, said the Council on American-Islamic Relations. CAIR made the statement after authorities revealed the two San Diego teens met…
Tyler testifies for religious freedom for all people
Anti-Muslim legislation and policies violate the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that government remain neutral in matters of religion, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Tyler offered the perspective during a May 13 House Judiciary subcommittee…
Is pluralism possible under an evangelical Christian God?
What does pluralism mean for people who believe there’s only one way to God, who believe God reigns, but who live in a nation that values liberty and justice for all? This is the question many Christians are wrestling through….
Greg Abbott is on a campaign against religious liberty
One year ago, I wrote about how Texas Gov. Greg Abbott amplified a racist, Islamophobic tweet to further a conspiracy theory about a North Texas Muslim community. The conspiracy was that the planned community, EPIC City, was going to enact…
Texas executes man who didn’t kill anyone
Texas executed James Broadnax April 30 despite DNA evidence and another inmate’s confession showing he did not kill two men in 2008. Broadnax, 37, died by lethal injection at the state prison in Huntsville for the shooting deaths of Matthew…
Study traces anti-Muslim campaign to Greg Abbott
The current surge in anti-Muslim hatred from elected Republicans can be traced to a social media post by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott early last year, according to a new study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate. Since…
Dan Patrick is wrong again
Yesterday morning, coffee in hand, I was met with a sobering claim. Our Texas lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, broke the news: “Separation of church and state is a lie.” Despite my “limitations” — a public-school education, a private college degree…
Texas interfaith coalition speaks up for Muslims’ religious freedom
As Republican elected leaders in Texas seek to limit the activities of Muslim organizations, an interfaith coalition has issued a plea to defend Muslim neighbors and their religious freedom. The open letter was created by George A. Mason and Nancy…
Is James Talarico an Orc?
James Talarico has the Republican Party running scared. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott rarely mentions Gina Hinojosa, his Democratic rival, but he is going after U.S. Senate candidate Talarico with guns blazing. The assault on Talarico isn’t just coming from Texas,…