Both times, the bills were allowed to die languishing in committee as the legislature adjourned in 1997 and again in 1999. In both instances, the bill could have passed before the threat of a lawsuit stemming from a legally recognized Vermont civil union loomed in a Texas courtroom. Today, couples can travel to Vermont and obtain a civil union within a matter of hours. Already, the state's sodomy law is under assault in the 14th Circuit Court, and county clerks in Austin and San Antonio have begun registering homosexuals as domestic partners in order for them to receive insurance benefits. The passage of a DOMA in Texas would give honest judges a tool with which to fight back against this ongoing assault against the institution of marriage, and would reaffirm the importance of the family as the foundation of political society.
Traditional marriage is an institution worth defending.
Although passage of a Defense of Marriage Act is vital to the protection of this valuable institution, the best defense against the dissolution of traditional marriage is an active and informed citizenry. In next week's commentary, I will let you know how YOU can make a difference in the great struggle for the preservation of our common values. Please contact us if you would like to request information, or place a friend on our e-mail list. All rights reserved.