EDGE New York City

Texas lawmakers passed two bills this week that would discriminate against the LGBT community.

A Texas couple say someone vandalized their property by painting "leave or die fags" on their porch. They also claim that the attack was caused by an anti-gay ad a pastor wrote in a local newspaper.

GetEQUAL TX members will send Dallas Mayor Rawlings valentines in hopes of spurring him to join more than 100 other mayors from across the country who have signed a pledge to advocate for marriage for same-sex couples.

As many as 2,500 people held marches and even wedding ceremonies in nine Texas cities on Saturday, Oct. 15, as part of what activists described as a more pro-active approach to gaining marriage equality in the Lone Star State.

Located right smack-dab in the heart of Texas, Austin, the Lone Star State’s capital city, is the gateway to Texas Hill Country. It may be in the center of the giant state, but it’s a world away from Texas stereotypes.

The 2011 Dallas Pride Parade and Festival Annual celebration is expected to draw more than 40,000 spectators at one of Dallas’ largest outdoor events, with the theme "It Only Gets Better" - and Ben Cohen, as VIP guest.

Even though progress on LGBT issues on the federal level appears unlikely during the next Congress, activists remain confident they can score legislative gains at the state and municipal level in 2011.

Following a series of forums held across the state late last year, Equality Texas, Out Youth, the Texas Civil Rights Project and other organizations continue to seek new strategies to tackle anti-LGBT bullying in schools.

Although the Texas legislature will not reconvene until 2011, Equality Texas plans to use 2010 to educate voters and lawmakers on a host of LGBT-specific issues.