Texas Democrats have proposed
legislation that seeks to repeal the state's 2005 voter-approved
constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.
House Rep. Rafael Anchia's bill would
also repeal the state's law that prohibits recognition of the
out-of-state marriages and civil unions of gay and lesbian couples,
The Dallas Morning News' LGBTQ
Blog reported.
Companion legislation was filed in the
Senate by Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa of McAllen.
“Marriage says 'we are a family' in a
way that no other word does,” Anchia said in a statement.
“Marriage strengthens families and gives couples the tools and
security they need to build a life together.”
Repealing the ban requires the approval
of lawmakers and Texas voters.
The move comes roughly eight months
after a federal judge struck down Texas' restrictive marriage ban as
unconstitutional. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans
will hear arguments in an appeal early next year.