I love the activists at GetEQUAL TX. They're fearless. And, they're holding another Valentine's Day marriage protest, Request Marriage 2012. Got the press release today:
This Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14 2012, GetEQUAL TX, in coordination with Freedom to Marry and Marriage Equality USA, will hold a demonstration to bring attention to the injustice that is served by the constitutional ban on marriage in Texas.
The ban itself was added to our state Constitution in 2005 however, rather than banning same-sex marriage, it banned all marriages. The Amendment reads:
Article 1, Sec. 32. MARRIAGE.
(a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.
(b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.
(Added Nov. 8, 2005.)
Part (a) defines marriage as "the union of one man and one woman". Part (b) bans "any legal status identical or similar to" the union of one man and one woman.
"Even though there is a strict ban on marriage itself, County Clerks have been waving that ban for opposite-sex couples since the day it was signed into law", said Michael Diviesti, Texas State Lead Organizer for GetEQUAL, "We are calling on all issuers of marriage licenses to either comply with the law, and stop giving out marriage licenses or to break the law equally for everyone."
This will be the second consecutive year, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community and their allies in Austin will be applying for same-sex marriage licenses at the Travis Country Clerk's office demonstrating that all Texas families have the right to safety and security under the law.
Following the recent ruling of California Proposition 8's unconstitutionality, a clear message has been sent to the nation that discriminatory laws serve no purpose but to lessen the dignity of all human beings.
"No minority should have their civil rights subject to the opinion of the majority. The 14th Amendment clearly sates that no living being shall be denied equal protection of the law.", said Iana Di Bona, Central Texas co-lead for GetEQUAL, "As a social justice advocacy organization, we will continue to stand against injustice, especially when human rights are so thoughtlessly and heartlessly violated."
Participants attending the event are encouraged to wear wedding attire (such as veils, top hats, bouquets, etc) and bring signs celebrating the theme of love. Clergy will also be present to perform free marriage ceremonies for those interested in tying the knot.
Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/243398642401544
