News and Commentary

As the leading civil rights organization in the Lone Star State, we at the ACLU of Texas believe it is our duty to keep the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged.

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Jan 17, 2022

5 Ways Texas Suppresses the Vote — And How To Make Your Vote Count

Texas has a long history of voter suppression deeply intertwined with white supremacy. Learn about these five obstacles when casting your vote in 2022, but don't get discouraged. It’s now more important than...

By Ashley Harris

Dec 14, 2021

Texas Students Took Their School District to Court for Discrimination — and Won

Students and parents in Magnolia Independent School District can breathe a sigh of relief that the district’s archaic, discriminatory dress code is a...

By Brian Klosterboer

Students and parents in Magnolia Independent School District can breathe a sigh of relief that the district’s archaic, discriminatory dress code is a...

By Brian Klosterboer

Image of a school with the word Victory!

Dec 14, 2021

Bright Spots of 2021

The challenges of 2021 are widely known, yet this year also had its bright spots.

By Erik W. Martínez Resly

The challenges of 2021 are widely known, yet this year also had its bright spots.

By Erik W. Martínez Resly

Nov 30, 2021

What it Takes to Fight for Trans Kids in Texas

Activists fought to defeat 98% of the anti-trans laws the Texas legislature tried to pass this year. But that victory, Adri Perez writes, is bittersweet.

Nov 15, 2021

The border is my home. It represents hope for many.

When someone asks me where I’m from, I tell them I’m Rio Grande Valley born and raised. I was born in Harlingen, Texas and lived in nearby Elsa nearly all my life. Until I left for college at 21 years old,...

By Manuel L. Hinojosa

Image of the Rio Grande near Brownsville Texas

Nov 9, 2021

Texas voting law cracks down: I was convicted of voter fraud but my ballot didn't even count

I did not know I was considered ineligible to vote. So a poll worker advised me to submit a provisional ballot. It never counted, but I was still convicted.

By Crystal Mason

I did not know I was considered ineligible to vote. So a poll worker advised me to submit a provisional ballot. It never counted, but I was still convicted.

By Crystal Mason