![State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, filed a bill Thursday to permit same-sex couples to marry, calling it a "Valentine's Day gift to all Texans."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/46/0f/460f5ff3d1e2c8e3b2a5f980fdfac680.jpg?itok=Kl_utPXM "State Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, filed a bill Thursday to permit same-sex couples to marry, calling it a "Valentine's Day gift to all Texans."")
Around the 14th of February, love is in the air all over the country and as such, everybody, regardless, express love, togetherness and devotion to their boyfriends, girlfriends, wives and husbands. Some even express those loving feeling for their children, grandchildren and parents. It’s often called, the season for ‘love.’
Two states celebrated this day by offering the first leg of a legislative process that would allow same sex marriages, benefits for same sex couples and repeal of constitutional law defining what exactly is considered a marriage.
Illinois’s Senate, the results of a Liberal Blue state, which is union controlled, passed it’s same sex marriage bill and it’s up to the state’s House to do the same, which is a give-me. It will pass and as such, Illinois will become the 10th state to abolish the traditional term of marriage.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Heather Steans, which of course is a Democrat from Chicago, is pleased with her efforts, as well as, the campaign contributions from the Gay and Lesbian community and as such, she states, 'Thursday decision was a vote for the history books.’ It’s also a vote for the book of records.
In Texas, there’s several pieces of legislation to attain the same goals as Illinois, but the climate in Texas is a lot different from Illinois. Although campaign contributions play a major role in legislation, Republicans control both houses and the Gay and Lesbian community is not too thrill with their representation.
In Texas, there’s several bills on tap to repeal the state’s anti-gay marriage amendment, one to recognize same sex marriages from other states and one to create civil unions for same sex couples. All filed by Democrats, Reps. Garnet Coleman, Rafael Anchia and Sen. Chuy Hinojosa. No doubt, these bills are the results of campaign contributions, but unlike Illinois, Texas is not ready to change, just for the sake of appeasement.
The HB 1300‘s sponsor, Lon Burnam explains his motive behind the bill with this, ‘Marriage has been the greatest and most rewarding experience of my life.’ While that may be widely accepted, but many around the state will beg to differ. If this bill makes it through the legislative process, it’s an uphill battle with voters.
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