During the last Texas legislative session, Democratic Representative Shawn Thierry demonstrated an outward hostility to the LGBTQ+ community.

Shawn Thierry aligned with Republican lawmakers to:

• Ban gender transitioning care for minors. (TX SB 14)
• Restrict trans collegiate athletes. (TX SB 15)
• Ban LGBTQ+ books. (TX HB 900)

These votes were augmented by public homophobic and bigoted remarks.
Her animosity towards the LGBTQ+ community was particularly unacceptable coming from a Democratic member representing Texas House District 146, a deep blue Houston-based seat.

Republicans were eager to continue their collaboration with Thierry and poured money into her campaign. During the primary, Thierry raised $123,000 from Republican aligned groups and mega-donors.

Thierry drew a primary opponent in local union-member and activist Lauren Ashley Simmons, who had broad based progressive support. In the March primary, Lauren bested Thierry, 49-44, but did not avoid a runoff. Committed to ensuring Thierry’s defeat, Fight for Our Rights sprung into action to build a program to win this race.

To ensure Thierry’s defeat Fight for Our Rights launched a digital campaign to boost Lauren Ashley’s name ID and draw contrast between the two candidates on LGBTQ+ and progressive issues.