Texas State Democratic legislators temporarily fled the state earlier this month to prevent Republicans from passing a newly drawn electoral map that would give the GOP more U.S. congressional seats. When the Democrats returned, Republicans required them to be escorted round-the-clock by state troopers to prevent them from fleeing the state again.Two Dallas-area state legislators, RepresentativesTerry Meza (an LGBTQ+ ally) and Venton Jones(the states first out gay, Black, HIV-positive lawmaker), took their police escorts to the Rose Room, a drag venue in the citys Oak Lawn gayborhood, The Houston Chronicle reported. Related Gay lawmaker surprised everyone with proposal just after he took the oath of office Meza and Jones didnt attend the venue to watch a drag performance, however. They came to attend a meeting of the Stonewall Democrats, a political group for LGBTQ+ Democrats and allies.Political journalist Scott Braddock posted a photo of the legislators speaking to meeting attendees at the venue, writing via X that the legislators had dragged their DPS troopers to a gay bar in Dallas. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Todd Hill, secretary of the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, wrote via X, We are always happy to have [Meza and Jones]. Hill also wrote that his group had hosted U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) and her accompanying Capitol Hill police officer, adding, We appreciate everyones service.We are always happy to have Reps. Meza and @VentonJonesTX at meetings of @StonewallDalCo! We also hosted Congresswoman @juliejohnsonTX and her Capitol Hill police officer. We appreciate everyones service #stonewallshowsup Todd Hill (@Yohi52) August 20, 2025 When Jones and his fellow Democrats returned to the Texas Capitol in Austin, the Republican Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows refused to let Democrats leave the buildings legislative chamber until Republicans voted to pass the gerrymandered maps.Protesting the move, Jones wrote via X that Burrows was [holding] members hostage until racist maps are voted on, adding, These maps can only be created by diluting the representation and voices of Black and Brown people. NOW law enforcement is continuing to be used against duly elected members [to] force a vote.Republicans ultimately passed the maps in an August 20 party-line vote. In response, Democratic governors in other states have threatened to redraw their own electoral maps to counteract the new Texas map.One day later, Jones revealed that the legislatures Republican leaders issued him a $9,354.25 fine for missing legislative sessions during his departure from the state.Id do it again in order to protect the rights of my constituents, he wrote. He has said that the new maps violate the federal Voting Rights Act, a law that prohibits any voting practice that diminishes the ability of any racial or language group to participate equally in the political process. Fined $10k for quorum break. And Id do it again in order to protect the rights of my constituents. #txlege pic.twitter.com/WgxSuykN7b State Rep. Venton Jones (@VentonJonesTX) August 22, 2025 Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.