movieguy Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 Texas Anti-Gay Amendment Could Nix Straight Marriages by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff Posted: October 25, 2005 3:00 pm ET (Austin, Texas) A proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Texas could also be used to nullify traditional marriages a group of straight couples says. The organization, Save Texas Marriage, also says the amendment would end common-law marriage between heterosexuals in the state and would nullify wills and other agreements between unmarried couples. At issue is a phrase in the proposed amendment that says the state is prohibited from "creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage." That, the group says, could be interpreted by a judge to mean traditional or common law marriage is invalid. "This piece of legislation simply is not worth the risks that it poses," Trampes Crow, a spokesperson for Save Texas Marriage, told an Austin news conference. Crow, 31, who is married to a woman said that "any form of marriage could be endangered by this amendment." He was joined at the news conference by other members of the group. One couple held a sign saying "43 years of marriage at risk" and another carried a sign reading "Don't mess with my marriage." No Nonsense in November, the LGBT group fighting the proposed amendment agrees with Crow's assessment. "In their rush to discriminate against gays and lesbians the legislature has created a monster," Glen Maxey, the campaign director for No Nonsense told 365Gay.com. "If this thing passes there's going to be a world of hurt for both gay and straight Texan couples." The sponsor of the proposed amendment disputes the wording could be used against opposite-sex couples. Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) said that when the measure was debated in the state legislature legal experts confirmed the amendment wouldn't jeopardize traditional marriage or common law marriage. "They're trying to play on the words," Chisum said. "Let me tell you, we had some very good legal scholars help put this language together." Voters will go to the polls November 8 to cast ballots on the amendment. The advance poll began Monday. (story) Meanwhile, the city of Austin on Monday gave the Ku Klux Klan permission to hold a rally against same-sex marriage on a public square in front of city hall. (story) The KKK rally will be held November 5 on the south plaza of Austin City Hall. ©365Gay.com 2005 links Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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