Where Texas stands on LGBTQ+ rights

Texas can be a hostile state for LGBTQ+ rights even as many cities celebrate Pride month.

Why it matters: Texas, like Florida, has operated as a test kitchen for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that has spread to other states, Michael Rendon of the Human Rights Campaign in San Antonio tells Axios.

The big picture: Across the nation, significantly fewer anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed this year than were proposed, per data analysis from the Human Rights Campaign.

Zoom in: Texas passed four laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights last year, banning gender-affirming care for children, transgender students in college sports, and certain drag shows.

• The state also led the nation in proposed anti-transgender legislation, even if few of those bills became law.
• A judge blocked the ban on some public drag shows. The Texas Supreme Court is considering the gender-affirming care ban, which remains in effect.
• Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing back on a new federal rule boosting nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ students. Abbott says the changes are illegal and says Texas won't implement them.

Meanwhile: Texas has also cracked down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities.

• Republicans praised the laws, saying the ban on gender-affirming care protects children from misguided medical treatments that they will regret later.

Zoom in: San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth all scored 100 out of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign for ordinances and services that support LGBTQ+ people.

• Houston scored a 73.
• The grade is based on things like local nondiscrimination protections, city employment policies and services, law enforcement hate crime reporting, and local leadership support.

What we're watching: What Texas legislators choose to tackle in next year's legislative session, which starts in January.

• LGBTQ+ rights or restrictions were not on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's list of priorities this year.