Texas State Senator Juan “Chuy”
Hinojosa, a Democrat from Corpus Christi, used Father's Day to
release an open letter in support of his gay daughter, Kris.
In his “Father's Day letter to my
daughter,” Hinojosa said he found out “how strong the love of a
father could be” the moment his daughter “breathed life.”
“An unconditional love for such an
innocent child that only a father could know,” he
wrote. “As you began to grow, I hoped for a safe environment
for you and wanted to protect you from the harsh realities of this
unjust world.”
“As your journey into adulthood
revealed that you are gay, it made no difference to me. You are
still my daughter. You did not change. I will always love and
support you unconditionally. Fathers love their children who have
physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or are
multi-ethnic. There are all kinds of children. A father's love is
without end. Why would sexual orientation change anything?”
“I know you have encountered many
challenges and struggles because of your sexuality, but I also know
that my love has given you strength and courage. Views are changing
as people begin to accept and understand that same-sex couples are
part of our communities, culture and country. They live in our
communities, work in our communities, attend church in our
communities, and volunteer for our military where they fight for our
freedom and liberty. They are our sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters, and colleagues and friends. Same-sex couples should be
allowed the freedom to marry one another and be treated with dignity
and respect.”
“It saddens me to know that you live
your life in a society that views you as 'different,' or as someone
who should not enjoy the same basic rights as a straight person does.
You are my daughter – you deserve the same love and acceptance and
to share in the same freedoms to marry the person you love,” he
added.
Last year, Hinojosa sponsored a civil
unions bill that was defeated.