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The Texas Tribune
The Texas Tribune
National
Jhair Romero

LGBTQ Texans voting with marriage, worker protections and trans rights in mind

Thomas Smith Texas Greg Abbott Texas Tribune Ted Cruz Transgender Clarence Thomas Joe Biden John Cornyn Matw Kacsmaryk
Thomas Smith, right, and his partner Kevin McCardle outside of the Polk County Courthouse building in Livingston on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. Smith has voted for mostly Republican candidates his entire life but will now be voting for Democrats this election as issues like women’s rights and same sex marriage are being scrutinized.
Thomas Smith, right, and his partner, Kevin McCardle, in Livingston on Oct. 27. (Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune)

For LGBTQ mental health support, call the Trevor Project’s 24/7 toll-free support line at 866-488-7386. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

A lifelong Republican born and raised in deep-red East Texas, Thomas Smith often laments that he felt forced to become a Democrat this year.

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