- Farouk Shami
Houston hair care magnate Farouk Shami, the only Texas gubernatorial candidate who’s released a comprehensive policy statement on LGBT issues, will appear tonight at a meeting of Dallas’ gay LULAC Council, according to Council President Jesse Garcia. The meeting, at 6:30 p.m. at Hungdinger, 4000 Cedar Springs Road, will also feature appearances by State Rep. Roberto Alonzo, Texas LULAC Director Joey Cardenas III and representatives from the Human Rights Initiative.
As I noted last week, Shami has adopted the policy statement on LGBT issues that was previously published by Hank Gilbert, who dropped out of the Democratic gubernatorial primary to run for agriculture commissioner. The policy statement proposes repealing Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage and allowing civil unions that give gay and lesbian couples the same privileges and protections as heterosexual couples. It also proposes legislation banning discrimination in employment, insurance and public education based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Former Houston Mayor Bill White, who’s considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, has yet to release a policy statement on LGBT issues. White was endorsed by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas last week.
