Help Texans Defeat Constitutional Amendment

I realize that most of you do not live in the great (?) state of Texas, and that many of you are ambivalent about same-sex constitutional amendments, at the state level, which prohibit same-sex marriage. Even so, the Texas legislature has put a constitutional amendment up for vote on November 8th that would strictly ban anything that comes close to resembling a civil union -- let alone gay marriage. I am personally asking for all concerned parties to assist us in defeating this amendment.

The time is now to take Texas back from the radical right.

For more info, visit No Nonsense in November, the campaign to defeat the Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit civil marriage and civil unions for same sex couples: http://www.nononsenseinnovember.com/

Thank you for the link, Paolo!

I live in Texas, and I am a registered voter. I am a member of two of the coalition groups in support of No Nonsense in November.

It is my fondest hope that all humans be extended the same rights and privileges.

I wish that I lived in Texas (though only momentarily), so that I could help! Wish we had the same movement here in Florida (home of the Florida Family Association and a whole bunch of other radicals).

I wish everyone would realize that attempting to disallow same sex marriages is pointless. A female gay couple and a male gay couple residing in the same residence can marry the 'appropriate' sex and still receive all the priveleges and rights that come with marriage. All the while they can still maintain their otherwise, in some cases societally shunned, gay relationships and still benefit from marriage.

Frankly, I think the largest and biggest sticking point about not letting a gay couple get married is taxes. Put FairTax in place and I don't think gay marriage is even an issue anymore.

Up here (Canada) one of the "arguments" that was pushed by some parties was that churches would be required to perform marriages that went against their beliefs. Was astounded by some of the people that swallowed that moronic dribble, so it is probably something to watch for elsewhere.

FairTax is a fun idea, but as it would cut out the loopholes enjoyed by the upper economic classes will never happen. Plus the whole self-perpetuating property of beurocracy... I expect civil war in the US more than I expect wide sweeping tax reform

O.o! wow. Even WITH utter and total legalization of gay marriage, I don't see any reason a church should have to perform -any- marriage it doesn't want to on any grounds... Problem we have in the US is largely that SOME churches will perform the marriages, but some of the bigger ones won't and the states won't recognize the marriage.

A man and a woman do not need to go to a church to be married.

Seems stupid to think that two women would (or two men).

No one has to go to a church in the US to make their marriage legal. They can have that done at the justice of the peace.

However, why would it be stupid for two people of the same sex to want to be married in church if they are religious?

Several of my gay friends are much more religious than I am and attend church regularly. The Unitarian church will bless/sanctify a same sex marriage as will some other more progressive churches.

Just because someone is gay does not mean that they do not believe in God or a higher power or not want to live their lives in a manner that they view as moral or to adhere to rituals that they feel are important.

Personally, I am agnostic and even somewhat bitter toward certain extremist sects of religion - so my husband and I were married by a JP. My gay brother OTOH, attends a Unitarian church with his partner and I'm sure it would matter to him to some degree.

I think it's more of an individual philosophical issue than it is something determined by sexual preference.

what i meant was it is stuipid to assume that homosexuals would HAVE to get married in a church.

Some of my relatives were married in churches , others werent. My sister was married on the beach in Maui - by a native Hawaiin who wasnt remotely christain, even tho shes lutheran.

Im certain no one would try to force, say, The Catholic church to hold same sex marriages. Besides the lack of any reason to - this is against the OTHER side of the coin of the speration of church and state. Just as religeon shouldnt be involved in government policy, so should government policy not be involved in the policies of a particular church.

Sorry for the confusion.

I dont disagree with your comments at all.

Is there any chance that we could interest Mexico in taking Texas back?

Isn't that already in progress?

Only if we get to keep Austin. We'll pay to have it airlifted intact to Colorado or New Mexico.

Although... I'm thinking about starting a side business smuggling illegal "marital aids" into the state. There's a fortune to be made in undercutting legislated morality.

I heard something like this in teh party at Tiger Lily's this weekend ,

One of the women said it was illegal to buy vibrators in Alabama

wow - land of the free =/

In Alabama, Georgia and Texas it is illegal to sell vibrators, although it may be possible to avoid prosecution if you can convince the court that your products are for "novelty use only", and Georgia has an exception for devices prescribed by a doctor. The ban in Alabama was upheld by the Circuit Court of Appeals, with the argument (and I'm paraphrasing) that the law was kinda silly, but only the voters of Alabama had the authority to get rid of it.

I don't believe buying or posessing is illegal in Alabama or Georgia, but owning six or more toys is apparently a crime in Texas.

Rev up the General Lee, boys, I found something better than running moonshine! Yee-haw!

Very stupid laws in my opinion.


Naturally discrimnatory against single women,

and of course Lesbians



Legislated Morality has no place in a country that claims seperation of church and state.

You're absolutely right. That's why they're getting rid of the seperation.

so true

Although I read Colette's clarification further down in the thread, I wanted to thank you, Rose, for again coming to the defense of your gay brothers and sisters! I understand the point Colette was trying to make, but I think it's also good to challenge stereotypes, where ever they may rear their ugly heads. Not all gays are agnostic and/or atheistic, and many are actually devoted believers. Believe me -- I know well the bitterness you feel toward certain denominations, Rose. I think it's important that we keep reminding folks that the gay community is like a herd of cats, though. Getting us to agree on anything, universally speaking, is nigh unto impossible! On the issues of religion and the church, I would go so far as to say that the gay community runs the gamut from orthodox to atheist with all shades in between.