Equality Texas mourns the death of Jennifer Gale, a 47-year-old transgender homeless woman who died yesterday. Jennifer's body was found Wednesday morning. She was lying in an outdoor walkway at the First English Lutheran Church in Central Austin.

A perennial candidate for public office in Austin and Dallas, Jennifer's notoriety came through years of putting herself in the public eye. She took a shot at nearly every city office, from council seats, to the mayor's office. She never won, but in 2004, Gale came closer than ever, winning more than 38 percent of the vote for a seat on the Austin ISD School Board.
Jennifer’s voice rang through Austin Council Chamber doors every week, often times in support of the homeless population of which she was a part.

"Let's give the homeless a place to exercise that need jobs and need help," said Gale Tuesday night before the city’s Health Services Board.

Her death points to critical problems faced by the homeless, and especially by homeless women and the transgender homeless.

"Jennifer most nights slept outdoors," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. "Jennifer, we believe, is the 136th person who has died sleeping on the streets (of Austin) over the last ...   more »

Mr. Warren’s political agenda to deny human and civil rights to all people defiles our nation. It’s time to rise up and denounce Mr. Obama. We must let Obama know that we expect him to uphold and advance civil and human rights for all people, not just those preferred by his bigoted friends. We must tell him that asking Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration doesn’t advance diversity or tolerance of opposing opinion any more than asking an anti-Semite, or a white supremacist to give the invocation.  GS

President-Elect B. H. Obama kicked gays, pro-choice women, and those who believe in science to the curb – again. That’s why we have warned Democrats here that Mr. Obama cannot be trusted. Sadly, B. H. Obama has proven our low opinion of him to be correct.

Given Mr. Obama’s track record, no one should be surprised that Obama has invited Rick Warren, a right-wing minister who is against gay rights, reproductive rights, and stem-cell research to give the invocation at his inauguration in January.

B. H. Obama’s choice of Warren comes after Obama decided give his campaign promise to eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow gays to serve openly in the U. S. ...   more »