Texas
Texas is home to the second-highest population of same-sex couples in the nation. Texas citizens fought against an anti-marriage state constitutional amendment on the 2005 ballot. Unluckily marriage discrimination was written into the state constitution, but as a result, people across the state came out and stood up for fairness and equality, and against people trying to justify discrimination in favor of religion. Texans across the state continue to work towards overturning marriage discrimination and obtaining fairness for all families.
WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Equality Texas
Equality Texas is a statewide political advocacy organization working to advance the cause of equality for all Texans.
ACLU-Texas
The ACLU of Texas is at the forefront of advocacy for a variety of civil rights and civil liberties issues.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN TEXAS:
Your Community—Texas
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Texas Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Texas.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
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NEWS:
Couples gather for gay rights
The Daily Texan
February 19, 2007
It was unusually warm at the end of a week that charted record low temperatures only days before. More than 100 people welcomed a resurgence of sunshine Saturday at the City Hall plaza for the culmination of national Freedom to Marry Week.
The marrying men
OutSmart Magazine
February 8, 2007
A Houston couple who wed a year ago during Freedom To Marry Week participates again during the 10th anniversary of observances advocating full marriage rights for all Americans.
Why we need to talk about marriage equality
Washington Blade
May 1, 2006
"Question your friend or your father about what they are saying — make them actually think about their words. Don't let go unchallenged a flippant brush-off comment about 'there's no need for gay marriage.' Put up your dukes and fight back."
Life goes on after Prop. 2
Houston Voice
February 24, 2006
The series of events that took place in observance of Freedom to Marry week could benefit those who are depressed because of last year's approval of Proposition 2, a state constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.
Proposition 2 is already changing Texas
Dallas Morning News
November 20, 2005
As predicted by Hall and others, the passing of the state's anti-gay amendment is (already) changing the state. Many foresee a "brain drain" as people have stated that they will be leaving the state to move to a place where tolerance overcomes hate. Others are choosing not to return to Texas, as they raise families and want their kids to grow up with tolerance. Companies also refuse to move their business to the state in fear that the circumstances may turn away the best possible employees for the company. Though some revel in the state's conservative image, others are embarassed and say the state has entered a "disastrous path," with the current economic situation already posing a great challenge to residents.
COMMENTARY: Reasons to vote 'no' to Prop. 2
Galveston County Daily News
November 2, 2005
Tillotson covers several reasons why governmental conservatives should not support Texas' anti-gay amendment: marriage has already been restricted to non-gay couples by the state legislature since 2003; the language is too broad; conservatives like their laws aimed at real problems, not imaginary ones; constitutions work best when it protects the individual and embrace the true definition of equality, justice and freedom; and conservatives believe in freedom, not hate.
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MULTIMEDIA:
No Nonsense in November Ads
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
2005
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force launched a TV ad campaign to educate Texas communities about the real struggles that real couples and families face. The No Nonsense in November campaign, ACLU of Texas, and the Houston Equal Rights Alliance addressed the 2005 ballot measure's radically discriminatory provisions.
- Every Sense of the Word
File: Quicktime Movie (3.3 mb) -
God Loves Us
File: Quicktime Movie (3.7 mb) -
Pack Your Stuff
File: Quicktime Movie (3.4 mb) -
Redneck
File: Quicktime Movie (3.3 mb) -
Someone Who Loves Them
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The Real Thing
File: Quicktime Movie (3.3 mb) -
Unthinkable
File: Quicktime Movie (3.6 mb)
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Williams Institute
January 2008
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Texas.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force launched a TV ad campaign in 2005 to educate Texas communities about the real struggles that real couples and families face. The No Nonsense in November campaign, ACLU of Texas, and the Houston Equal Rights Alliance addressed the 2005 ballot measure's radically discriminatory provisions.
Start in The Marriage Basics to get short answers to your big questions about the freedom to marry, and learn more about the protections and responsibilities of marriage, the historical background for this civil rights movement, why separate is not equal, and so much more.
