Texas
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Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km²) and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by both area (after Alaska) and population (after California). Texas shares borders with Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south and southwest; it also has a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast.
Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the U.S., while San Antonio ranks as the second most populous city in the state and the seventh-largest in the U.S. The Dallas–Fort Worth area and Greater Houston are, respectively, the fourth- and fifth-largest metropolitan statistical areas in the country. Other major cities include Austin, the second most populous state capital in the U.S., and El Paso. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State due to its past as an independent republic and as a reminder of the state's struggle for independence from Mexico. The Lone Star appears on both the Texas state flag and the Texas state seal. The name Texas originates from the Caddo word táyshaʼ meaning 'friends'.
Due to its size and geological features such as the Balcones Fault, Texas features diverse landscapes typical of both the U.S. Southern and Southwestern regions. Although Texas is commonly associated with the deserts of the U.S. Southwest, less than ten percent of its land area is desert. Most population centers are located in regions that were once prairies, grasslands, forests, and along the coastline. Traveling from east to west, one observes terrain that shifts from coastal swamps and piney woods to rolling plains and rugged hills, eventually reaching the deserts and mountains of the Big Bend.
"Six Flags Over Texas" refers to several nations that have ruled the territory. Spain was the first European country to claim and control the area of Texas. France held a short-lived colony. Mexico controlled the territory until 1836, when Texas won its independence, becoming the Republic of Texas. In 1845, Texas joined the Union as the 28th state. The state's annexation set off a chain of events that led to the Mexican–American War in 1846. A slave state before the American Civil War, Texas declared its secession from the U.S. in early 1861 and officially joined the Confederate States of America on March 2 of the same year. After the Civil War and the restoration of its representation in the federal government, Texas entered a long period of economic stagnation.
Historically, four major industries shaped the Texas economy prior to World War II: cattle and bison, cotton, timber, and oil. Before and after the U.S. Civil War, the cattle industry — which Texas came to dominate — was a major economic driver for the state and created the traditional image of the Texas cowboy. In the late 19th century, cotton and lumber emerged as key industries as the cattle industry became less lucrative. Ultimately, however, it was the discovery of significant petroleum deposits (Spindletop in particular) that initiated an economic boom, becoming the driving force behind the economy for much of the 20th century. During the mid-20th century, Texas developed a diversified economy and a high-tech industry. As of 2015, it has the second most Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States. With a growing industrial base, the state leads in many sectors, including tourism, agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace, and biomedical sciences. Texas has led the U.S. in state export revenue since 2002 and has the second-highest gross state product. If Texas were a sovereign state, it would have the 10th-largest economy in the world.
- Amusement Park
"Six Flags Over Texas" refers to several nations that have ruled over the territory. Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor amusement parks in Maryland are closing permanently after the 2025 season.
Etymology
The name Texas, derived from the Caddo word táyshaʼ (/tʼajʃaʔ/) meaning 'friend', was applied in the spelling Tejas or Texas by the Spanish to refer to the Caddo themselves, particularly the Hasinai Confederacy, with the final -s denoting the Spanish plural. The Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was completed near the Hasinai village of Nabedaches in May 1690, in what is now Houston County, East Texas.
During Spanish colonial rule in the 18th century, the area was known as Nuevas Filipinas ('New Philippines') and Nuevo Reino de Filipinas ('New Kingdom of the Philippines'), as well as provincia de los Tejas ('province of the Tejas'), which was later referred to as provincia de Texas (or de Tejas) ('province of Texas'). It was incorporated as provincia de Texas into the Mexican Empire in 1821 and declared a republic in 1836. The Royal Spanish Academy recognizes both spellings, Tejas and Texas, as valid Spanish-language forms of the name of the U.S. state of Texas.
Alternative etymologies of the name, proposed in the late 19th century, connected the Spanish teja 'rooftile', with the plural tejas used to designate indigenous Pueblo settlements. A 1760s map by Jacques-Nicolas Bellin shows a village named Teijas on the Trinity River, near the site of modern Crockett.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Texas
A complex interplay of legislative actions, public opinion, and community advocacy shapes attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Texas.
- Marriage Equality: Same-sex marriage has been legal in Texas since the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.
- Statewide Protections: Texas does not have comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, or public accommodations.
- Recent Legislation
In 2023, Texas lawmakers passed bills banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors and restricting the college sports teams that transgender athletes can join.
A proposed bill in 2025 aims to fine public schools if teachers use students' preferred pronouns or assist in their social gender transition through changes in clothing or hairstyle.
House Bill 3817, introduced in 2025, would criminalize identifying one's biological sex as different from that assigned at birth, labeling it "Gender Identity Fraud."
Local Protections: Several Texas cities, including Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, have enacted local ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various areas, such as employment and housing.
- Public Opinion
Public sentiment in Texas reflects a mix of views on LGBTQ+ rights:
- A 2023 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) indicated that a majority of Texans support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- A poll conducted by The Trevor Project found that 45% of Texas voters believe transgender minors should have access to gender-affirming care, while 31% oppose it.
- According to the Williams Institute, 79% of Texas residents, both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+, believe that LGBTQ+ people experience discrimination in the state.
- Community and Advocacy
Despite legal challenges, Texas hosts a vibrant network of organizations advocating for and supporting the LGBTQ+ community:
- Equality Texas: Focuses on legislative advocacy to promote equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in Texas.
- ACLU of Texas: Works to protect, defend, and expand the constitutional and civil rights of LGBTQ+ Texans.
- Queer Liberaction: A Dallas–Fort Worth-based grassroots organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights through non-violent direct action.
- Independent Bookstores: In response to rising book bans and anti-DEI legislation, independent bookstores in San Antonio, such as Nowhere Bookshop, have become safe havens, providing supportive spaces for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
San Antonio Express-News
- Challenges and Considerations
LGBTQ+ individuals in Texas face ongoing challenges:
- Legislative Actions: The state has seen a series of legislative efforts aimed at restricting LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on transgender individuals participating in sports.
- Mental Health Concerns: Advocacy groups report that LGBTQ+ youth in Texas experience higher rates of homelessness and mental health issues, often due to family rejection and lack of supportive resources.
- Community Support: While urban areas may offer more resources and support networks, LGBTQ+ individuals in rural parts of the state may experience isolation and limited access to affirming services.
- In 2025, Texas enacted a law making it illegal to own more than six dildos.
In summary, while public opinion in Texas shows growing support for LGBTQ+ rights, legal protections remain limited, and challenges persist. Nonetheless, dedicated advocacy groups and community organizations continue to work toward greater equality and support for the LGBTQ+ community across the state.
History of the Texas Flag
The Texas State Flag features a blue background on the left third of the flag. Inside the blue field is a large white five-pointed star, prominently displayed in the center. The right two-thirds of the flag are divided horizontally into two bands, with the top being white and the bottom being red. The colors chosen for the Texas flag match those of the United States flag, signifying the state's loyalty and allegiance to the country. Additionally, the color blue represents loyalty, white represents purity, and red represents bravery. The single star on the flag symbolizes Texas and the unity between God, State, and Country. The five points of the star represent five characteristics that a good citizen should possess: fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness. The Texas state flag is also known as the "Lone Star Flag" and was adopted on January 25, 1839. Before serving as the Texas State Flag, this design was the official flag of the Republic of Texas from 1836 until 1839. Prior to joining the United States, the Republic of Texas was an independent nation. During its period of independence, the single star symbolized that independence. The symbolic meanings of the design and colors were adapted once Texas joined the United States.
Texas is the second largest state in the United States (behind Alaska), located in the South-Central region of the country. It shares borders with New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico, and Mexico. The capital city is Austin, and the largest city is Houston. The second largest city is San Antonio. The name "Texas" is derived from the Caddo-Indian word "Taysha," which translates to "friends." Texas is the only state that was an independent republic before joining the United States of America. It is often referred to as "The Lone Star State" in reference to its flag. The area where Texas is located has been inhabited for approximately 16,700 years. Before the Europeans arrived, it was occupied by Native American tribes, including the Akokisa, Karankawa, Mogollan, and Caddo. In 1528, shipwrecked Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca became the first European to arrive in the area. Cabeza de Vaca mistakenly wrote about gold in the region, which inspired more Spanish explorers to investigate. Europeans did not begin to settle in Texas until 1685 when the French claimed the land after Robert de La Salle established Fort St. Louis. However, the French did not maintain control for long, as the Spanish settled Texas by establishing Catholic missions. The first Catholic mission, established in 1718 in San Antonio, became known as "The Alamo." In 1803, following the Louisiana Purchase, American authorities insisted that the agreement include Texas, which came under the control of the United States of America. In 1821, after the Mexican War of Independence, the Texas territory became part of Mexico and was referred to as "Coahuila y Tejas."
In 1825, with Mexico's approval, American Samuel Austin established a colony to which he brought approximately 300 families and other Americans. Eventually, the Americans began to rebel against the Mexican authorities, resulting in the Texas Revolution in 1835. At the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, the Americans suffered a heavy defeat, which only encouraged them to rebel further. On March 2nd, 1836, the Republic of Texas was formed. Despite being independent, Texas was still vulnerable to attack until General Sam Houston convinced the leaders to join the United States for protection; on December 29th, 1845, Texas officially became the 28th state.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Texas
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