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.

Filter News
Oct 27, 2014

Justice for Jessica: Holding the U.S. Accountable for Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors

It has been 15 years since the tragic deaths of Jessica Lenahan's three daughters.

On June 22, 1999, Jessica's estranged husband, Simon Gonzales, kidnapped Rebecca, Katheryn, and Leslie from their...

By By Lenora M. Lapidus, Women's Rights Project

It has been 15 years since the tragic deaths of Jessica Lenahan's three daughters.

On June 22, 1999, Jessica's estranged husband, Simon Gonzales, kidnapped Rebecca, Katheryn, and Leslie from their...

By By Lenora M. Lapidus, Women's Rights Project
Oct 24, 2014

When Smart Gets Scary: Invasion of the Data Snatchers

Smartphones and smart refrigerators and smartwatches, oh my.

I know, I know, it doesn't sound scary, but more and more, the things we own are being hooked up to the Internet and quietly collecting...

By By Matthew Harwood, Media Strategist, ACLU

Smartphones and smart refrigerators and smartwatches, oh my.

I know, I know, it doesn't sound scary, but more and more, the things we own are being hooked up to the Internet and quietly collecting...

By By Matthew Harwood, Media Strategist, ACLU
Oct 24, 2014

A Minister and a Rabbi Walk Into a Vegas Wedding Chapel...

There are currently 32 states and counting that have marriage equality. This is up from 12 states before we helped Edie Windsor strike down the Defense...

By By James Esseks, Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project

There are currently 32 states and counting that have marriage equality. This is up from 12 states before we helped Edie Windsor strike down the Defense...

By By James Esseks, Director, ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project
Oct 24, 2014

#LetsTalk About Abortion

Research shows that nearly one in three women will have an abortion by the time she turns 45. Yet, far too often, we still think of abortion as a dirty word, not fit for polite company.

It's long...

By By Erin White, Communications Manager, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project

Research shows that nearly one in three women will have an abortion by the time she turns 45. Yet, far too often, we still think of abortion as a dirty word, not fit for polite company.

It's long...

By By Erin White, Communications Manager, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project
Oct 24, 2014

Edward Snowden: One-on-One in Moscow

This originally appeared in the Summer 2014 issue of STAND, the ACLU magazine.

Edward Snowden stirs passions among many across the world. After all, in June of last year he provided...

By By Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, ACLU

This originally appeared in the Summer 2014 issue of STAND, the ACLU magazine.

Edward Snowden stirs passions among many across the world. After all, in June of last year he provided...

By By Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, ACLU
Oct 24, 2014

Odds Are, You Are Suspicious

When you get off a train, do you get off ahead of passengers? Or do you get off behind passengers? When you're going on a trip, do you come off as nervous? Or are you an unusually calm traveler? How about...

By By Samia Hossain, William J. Brennan Fellow, ACLU Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project

When you get off a train, do you get off ahead of passengers? Or do you get off behind passengers? When you're going on a trip, do you come off as nervous? Or are you an unusually calm traveler? How about...

By By Samia Hossain, William J. Brennan Fellow, ACLU Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project