SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 568

WHEREAS, March 31, 2017, is being celebrated as Transgender Visibility Day, and the occasion provides a fitting opportunity to recognize the outstanding contributions of transgender Texans; and

WHEREAS, According to The Williams Institute, Texas is home to one of the highest populations of transgender people in the United States, with a population of 125,350, or 0.66 percent of all Texans; and

WHEREAS, According to a 2015 study by the National Center for Transgender Equality, transgender Texans experience higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, violence, poverty, and health problems than the average citizen of the Lone Star State; and

WHEREAS, Texas is home to the nation's first openly transgender judge, Phyllis Randolph Frye of Houston; and

WHEREAS, Through their hard work and expertise, transgender Texans contribute to every industry in the Lone Star State, from oil and gas and technology to the arts; and

WHEREAS, Transgender Texans are part of the fabric that make Texas the unique, diverse, influential, compassionate state that it is; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize March 31, 2017, as Transgender Visibility Day in Texas and commend transgender Texans for their bravery, resilience, and contributions to the Lone Star State.

Rodríguez

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 4, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate