Texas Marriage Amendment Filed
Rep. Warren Chisum introduced House Joint Resolution 6, which would define marriage between a man and a woman in the Texas Constitution.
Texas could be the next state to approve a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. On Monday, the first day for lawmakers to submit bills for the January session, Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa introduced a bill that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
A total of 13 states have already approved constitutional amendments upholding traditional marriage this year, including the 11 states that voted on a definition of marriage on the Nov. 2 ballot. Five other states also have similar amendments.
"We really feel very strong about the fact that we don't want the deterioration of the institution of marriage and that's what we see happening across this country," said Chisum.
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The bill or House Joint Resolution 6 would add a new section to the Texas Constitution that reads: "Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.” It first needs two-thirds approval in the House and Senate then a majority of people’s votes to be added to the state Constitution.
Critics of the measure say a 2003 Texas law, co-authored by Chisum, already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and prohibits same-sex marriage.
However, Chisum said adding the definition to the state constitution would protect the law from being overturned by judges.
“I think it's very important that we get this issue out of statutes and into the constitution so that there's no question about how the people stand on this issue of marriage," Chisum said in a Houston Chronicle report.
A pro-homosexual group, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, opposes the measure.
Ron Schlittler, PFLAG's Executive Director contends that the bill would affect families.
"Thousands of Texans and their children would be hurt by this amendment. It is a sad day when the Texas legislators feels it is OK to trample on the basic human rights of a minority to score political points and express their personal biases,” he said in a statement.
Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas also opposes the bill.
Chisum told Dalls Morning News, "Society really needs the marriage of a man and a woman for its basis. You know, it's been there for 500 years. I just think it's very critical to us that we not shatter that foundation."
Chisum said if the bill is successful, it would help the passage of a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage.
President Bush has said he will continue his push for the Federal Marriage Amendment in his second term. The measure would ban same-sex marriage in all 50 states and leave civil unions for states to decide.
