"http : //www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157267,00.html Saturday , May 21 , 2005 AUSTIN , Texas Â— The Texas Senate ( search ) approved a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage with a 21-8 vote Saturday , sending the issue to voters . State law already prohibits same-sex marriages . If approved in a statewide vote in November , Texas ( search ) would join 14 states that statutorily and constitutionally ban same-sex marriage . Massachusetts is the only state that allows such marriages , although Vermont and Connecticut have approved same-sex civil unions . Opponents have criticized the ban as discrimination against gays and lesbians and warn it could harm heterosexual families if domestic partner benefits , powers of attorney and common law marriage are called into question . Sen. Todd Staples , R-Palestine , who sponsored the legislation in the Senate , said none of those scenarios would be affected and would not prevent same-sex couples from adopting children . The House has voted to ban gays from becoming foster parents , but that measure has received little support in the Senate . Staples rejected arguments the amendment would discriminate against gays and lesbians and the estimated 43,000 same-sex couples in Texas . Sen. Rodney Ellis , D-Houston , equated the amendment to Jim Crow-era laws that discriminated against blacks . '' At least they had the good sense to never write their bigotry into the state Constitution , `` said Ellis , who called the amendment `` trash. `` Staples said he is offended by accusations the amendment is anti-gay . '' There 's a distinction between intimate associations and the right to have the government recognize or subsidize your arrangement , `` Staples said ."
"So ? ? ? ? Are we supposed to be surprised ? Hardly State constitutions and / or their amendments do n't mean diddly squat if they are not in agreement with the US cconstitution ."
"approved same-sex civil unions"
"Hardly State constitutions and / or their amendments do n't mean diddly squat"