Could Texas become the first state to overturn a Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage? The authors of companion bills introduced into the Texas legislature are hoping so.
In 2005, Texas passed a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as one-man and one-woman. At the time of the amendment, three-quarters of Texans opposed same-sex marriage.
Since 2005, attitudes across the United States have changed towards marriage equality. One-third of Texans now support same-sex marriage with another third supporting civil unions.
The bill was introduced in the House by Houston Democrat Rep. Garnet Coleman. El Paso Democratic Senator Jose Rodriguez introduced the companion bill in the Senate. This marked the first time the repeal legislation has been introduced into both chamber of the Texas legislature.
Opponents of same-sex marriage believe the bills will not pass either chamber during this session. The voter-approved ban in 2005 by a large margin gives the traditional marriage crowd confidence moving into the future.
If the Constitutional amendment were to be repealed, a bill has already been introduced to remove all gay marriage restrictions from Texas law, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage.
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