Jonathan Van Ness of 'Queer Eye' joins Monday's All-In for Equality Advocacy Day in Austin

Hannah Ortega, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Jonathan Van Ness, a hairstylist and star of "Queer Eye" on Netflix, helped rally support for transgender rights and other issues at the All-In for Equality Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol Monday.

The event featured members and support from GLAAD, Equality Texas, ACLU of Texas, Lambda Legal, Texas Freedom Network, the Transgender Education Network of Texas and the Human Rights Campaign. GLAAD tweeted video of a speech from Van Ness, who said he's lived in Texas for more than three years.

"At a time when we have child poverty at an all-time high, we have access to health care at an all-time low, people are fighting like they have never fought before for basic human rights, we are out here debating trans issues that these legislatures have no idea about," Van Ness said in the video.

Van Ness also said the community would mirror Democrat Wendy Davis, who held an 11-hour filibuster against an abortion law in 2013, in returning to the capitol to fight for their human rights.

"We will have to be back on these steps, in those chambers, protesting and fighting for our rights," Van Ness said. "This is the first of many times. This session ends at the end of May — we will be looking forward to seeing all of you again."

Related:Texas lawmakers debate gender-affirming care for minors. Here's what's being proposed.

To end his speech, Van Ness encouraged others to talk about their existence and humanity rather than fall victim to what he heard as a child: "never talk about religion or politics."

"As I have grown older, I have realized that that is a relic of the patriarchy to keep those in power in power," Van Ness said. "You do not let anyone silence the things that move your life, whether that is politics, religion, your faith, your spirit, because let me tell you something — these people on the right, they are not silencing their faith to legislate your lives."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Jonathan Van Ness of 'Queer Eye' speaks about human rights in Austin