Gay Democrat Proposes on Texas House Floor

metroweekly.com:

video posted to social media by Jason Whitley, a reporter for Dallas-based ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.ENGAGED.State Rep. @VentonJonesTX, a Dallas Democrat, just proposed to his longtime partner, Gregory Scott, Jr.

moments after being sworn in. Jones popped the question when the House went into recess. #txlege pic.twitter.com/4nD0EVAWw9— Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) January 14, 2025“My immediate reaction was ‘What is happening?'” Scott said with a laugh.

Jones told local NBC affiliate KXAN that he felt proposing to Scott in the chamber, in view of many of his family, friends, and fellow lawmakers, was a powerful statement at a time when Republican-controlled legislatures seem intent on passing as much anti-LGBTQ legislation as possible. “Last session, I sat in that very chair and saw over 144 bills [targeting the LGBTQ community],” Scott told the news outlet. “We continue to see attacks on the LGBTQ community.

Being able to be in a space of authenticity is not a show, this is our life.”The last time the Texas Legislature — which meets biennially — convened, Texas Republicans introduced 55 bills seeking to roll back LGBTQ rights and protections.