Dallas Morning News: No on 2
By Karl-Thomas Musselman
One of the three largest remaining state newspapers has now endorsed yet another NO vote on the Texas Marriage Amendment. The Dallas Morning News, driven in part by concerns over the threatened loss of local benefit registries, has editorialized against the amendment, available here.
DMN: Given that state judges in Texas are elected, and therefore answerable to the people, the chances of a judge doing so are about as good as the Texas Supreme Court outlawing barbecue, so this proposed amendment essentially uses a sledgehammer to kill a mosquito.
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Dallas and Travis counties provide certain health benefits to the partners and families of gay workers. So do hundreds of jurisdictions elsewhere in Texas and across the country. An amendment outlawing "any legal status ... similar to marriage" seems to subject these benefit plans to legal challenge. For what gain?
Proponents of this amendment argue that it won't affect private contracts between gays, and they cite language that was part of the resolution referring this issue to the ballot as proof that the intent behind the amendment isn't to undermine private contracts. But that language doesn't appear on the ballot...
In fact, the state House expressly rejected an effort to clarify the amendment's effect on private contracts when it voted 96-44 earlier this year against including on the ballot a provision stating that the amendment "may not be construed to prohibit the recognition of any contractual relationship currently available."
We doubt most Texans want to make it more difficult for gays to visit loved ones in the hospital or the like. These and other private contracts are already largely accepted by society – and even considered good for business. Thirty-eight of the Fortune 50 companies offer benefits to same-sex couples. Four of North Texas' largest private employers added domestic partner benefits last year.
Why on earth deny to these men and women, not special privileges, but ordinary human decencies?
We recommend a "no" vote.
The El Paso Time and San Antonio Express News have yet to endorse.
Posted by Karl-Thomas Musselman at October 21, 2005 12:25 PM
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