News from within the borders of Austin in Texas and the fight for equality there. Austin, the state capital and home to the main University of Texas campus, has a reputation for progressive politics evident in previous actions by the council. It has banned antigay discrimination by businesses operating in the city and offered domestic-partner benefits to municipal employees. LGBT rights group Equality Texas had asked the council to take a stand on marriage equality. Because of the large conservative political presence in Texas, advances for LGBT rights can be difficult to achieve.
Austin Splash Days, an annual fundraiser for the local LGBT community, attracts people from all over the world. Many of them look ultra-fine in their swimwear.
Students at the University of Texas at Austin made headlines waving dildos on campus, to highlight the absurdity that guns are allowed but sex toys are not.