Gay-Marriage Equality in Texas

            The topic that I am addressing today is on same-sex marriage rights in Texas. Although marriage equality in Texas wasn’t initially embraced, I feel that this topic is becoming increasingly accepted and seems to be gaining support more and more everyday. The article that I am referencing is entitled The Accidental Activists and is about two Texas men, one a lawyer and the other a physician’s assistant and former Air Force officer, filed a suit that they will address in the U.S. District Court in San Antonio. These men were reluctant to even be the faces of this step-in-the-right-direction but they do so because they feel like it is the right thing to do.

            In my research I have only found a handful of gay-equality cases in Texas, this is quite shameful in my opinion. In Lawrence v. Texas the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that any state forbidding homosexuality be deemed unconstitutional. The United States v. Windsor case made it mandatory for the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages in states where it is legal. If these men win, the case will likely be appealed by Rick Perry and Greg Abbott, then it will be sent to the U.S. Supreme Court. Many are predicting that gay-marriage will eventually be made legal in all of the states. One of the men was asked if he would consider leaving Texas to move to a state where gay-marriage is legal and his “Texas exceptionalism” shone through and he said “Absolutely not. That’s not anything we would even entertain. It is inconceivable to us that we would have to move to enjoy our constitutional rights. That’s offensive.” I love this.

            I pride myself in being a warrior and have always stood up against things that I feel are wrong. Until now I have never spoke about the issue of gay marriage. I recently took a step back and thought about how it must feel to someone, gay or straight, to legally not be allowed to marry the person that you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. It truly is heartbreaking to read about a person, a person just like you and me, to have to hide who they are inside because they are afraid of a multitude of factors present in our society. I cannot even fathom that feeling because I grew up in a very supportive household, and I wish that I could share that with everyone that is afraid. What kind of state would want to make their citizens feel this way? I feel like that the major reason behind the opposition to gay marriage is religion. But it shouldn't be. I strongly believe in a separation between church and state and if they were separate this wouldn't be an issue. 

            I hope that Texans could put aside their biblical reservations and see that we all have feelings, we fall in love, we fall out of love, and everyone is entitled to legally be able to do those things without prohibition, or disciplinary action from our Texas government.

Senate Bill 5: Let's Compromise

            I am writing my critique on an article from the Austin American Statesman, written by Alberta Phillips. The article is titled Davis’ Filibuster Shifts Abortion Debate To Women’s Rights and is Alberta Phillips’ take on Wendy Davis’ 11-hour filibuster against Senate Bill 5. Senate Bill 5 would make abortion after 20 weeks illegal and make abortion procedures expensive, making the unspoken agenda: drive abortion clinics out of business.

            The article begins with Alberta pointing out very notable events that Texas has made in regards to advancing the number and status of women in politics. Awesome. The mood then shifts and points out that women’s rights have become less important and are being made less attainable by the “male dominated GOP leadership.” She then states that the Republican Party is using their position to basically strike down the rights of women, whether they be family-planning rights or employment rights. One fact worth noting is that Rick Perry did veto the Equal Pay Bill, which would have helped women in the fight for equal pay in the workplace. 

            Wendy Davis said she would be in support of Senate Bill 5 if it took into account exceptions such as fetal abnormalities or health risk to the mother. I couldn’t agree more, I am anti-abortion but I am fully aware that there are always exceptions to the rule. I agree with Alberta that the issue of abortion is not black and white and never has been. There are multitudes of factors that could influence anyone to be “anti-abortion” or “pro-life.” I honestly feel like Alberta is on point with many of her opinions but some of them are a little too harsh. For example, she says that Senate Bill 5 forces women to get a trans-vaginal probe if they want an abortion. This is hard to believe and I’m pretty sure that doctors cannot legally force a woman to have this procedure done. Just like most procedures, one has to consent before a doctor can legally do anything to you.

            I do agree with Alberta when she says that the men in the Republican Party seem to be conveying the message “Know your place. We’re in charge.” They are blatantly less focused on women’s rights and this just will not do. We, as a state, as a very proud state that used to make women’s rights a priority, should focus on the word “equal” and show other states how much women are valued. I believe that her articles are intended to educate and infuriate women, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Personally speaking, I tend to work/fight harder if something that I am passionate over is about to be taken away. Food mostly. Cake.