Recognition of same-sex unions in Texas

Legal status of
same-sex relationships
Marriage
Performed

Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Denmark:
· Denmark proper
Finland*
France
Iceland
Luxembourg
Mexico:
· CA, QR,
· DF
Netherlands:
· Netherlands proper1
New Zealand:
· New Zealand proper
Norway

Portugal
South Africa
Slovenia*
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom:
· England and Wales
· Scotland
United States:
· AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT,
· DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN,
· IA, KS2, ME, MD, MA,
· MN, MO3, MT, NV, NH,
· NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK,
· OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VT,
· VA, WA, WV, WI, WY,
· DC, 22 tribes
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Recognized

  1. Can be registered also in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten
  2. Licensed in some counties in Kansas but same-sex marriage is not recognized by the state
  3. Only licensed in St. Louis (city), St. Louis County, & Jackson County (but only St. Louis (city) is required to).
  4. When performed in Mexican states that have legalized same-sex marriage
  5. Most counties in Alabama issued same-sex marriage licenses for several weeks after a federal court found that state's ban unconstitutional, but all stopped by 4 March 2015 following an order by the state supreme court
  6. Only if married in Michigan when same-sex marriage was legal

*Not yet in effect

LGBT portal

The U.S. state of Texas does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships at the statewide level. Article 1, Section 32, of the Texas Constitution provides that "Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman," and "This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage."[1] Prohibition of same-sex marriage and civil unions also exist in Texas statute.[2] Some cities and counties in the state recognize both same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partnerships.

Domestic partnerships

Currently there is no recognition of domestic partnerships at the statewide level in Texas.

Domestic partner benefits provided by governmental entities

Map of Texas counties and cities that offer domestic partner benefits either county-wide or in particular cities.
  City offers domestic partner benefits
  County-wide partner benefits through domestic partnership
  County or city does not offer domestic partner benefits

Travis County

Since January 1991, the Travis County has maintained a registry for domestic partnerships. It is the first county in Texas to recognize domestic partnerships.[3][4]

Austin

In September 2, 1993, the Austin City Council voted 5-2 in favor of the city offering domestic partner benefits. In January 1994, domestic partnerships became available in Austin, becoming the first city in Texas to do so. A group named Concerned Texans, led by the Rev. Charles Bullock, led a petition drive, called Proposition 22. On May 7, 1994, Proposition 22 passed, with a margin of 62 percent in favor to 38 percent against. It amended Austin's city charter to prohibit domestic partners, which where effectively terminated on May 9, 1994.[3][5][6]

On May 13, 2006, Austin voters passed, by a vote of 68 percent in favor to 32 percent against, Proposition 2, which amended the city charter to restore domestic partner benefits for city employees.[7]

Dallas

Since 2004, the city of Dallas has offered domestic partnership benefits to city employees.[8]

El Paso

On August 25, 2009, the El Paso City Council voted 7-1 to grant domestic partnership benefits to city employees.[9] A group, called Traditional Family Values, led by the Rev. Tom Brown, led a petition drive to repeal the city's domestic partnership benefits. The proposition was criticized for its poorly worded language on the ballot. On November 2, 2010, the proposition passed, with a margin of 55 percent in favor to 45 percent against. It amended El Paso's city charter to prohibit domestic partners, which where effectively terminated on January 1, 2011. On November 16, 2010, the El Paso City Council voted 4-3 against rescinding the public referendum prohibiting domestic partnerships in the city.[10][11][12]

On May 14, 2011, the El Paso City Council voted 4-4 on restoring domestic partnerships in the city. Mayor John Cook casts the tie breaking vote in favor of restoring domestic partnerships, which restored domestic partner benefits for city employees.[13]

Fort Worth

On January 1, 2011, domestic partnership benefits of city employees of Fort Worth began.[14]

San Antonio

On September 15, 2011, the San Antonio City Council voted 8-3 to grant domestic partnership benefits to city employees. It took effect on October 1, 2011.[15]

El Paso County

On August 13, 2012, the El Paso County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 to grant domestic partnership benefits to county employees.[16]

Dallas County

On October 30, 2012, the Dallas County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to grant domestic partnership benefits to city employees. It took effect on January 1, 2013.[8][17]

Houston

On November 6, 2001, 52 percent of Houston voters approved Proposition 2, an amendment to the city charter prohibiting the city from providing domestic partner benefits for city employees.[18] The amendment however specifically permits benefits to be provided to “legal spouses” of employees. On November 20, 2013, Mayor Annise Parker announced that the city will begin offering domestic partnerships benefits to all legally married spouses of city employees. This will apply to same-sex couples who have been married in a state where same-sex marriage is legal. The mayor’s decision is based on a city legal department interpretation of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and other relevant case law from the around the country.[19] On December 17, 2013, State District Judge Lisa Millard issued an order to put on hold the implementation of Houston's domestic partnership law, in response to a lawsuit filed by Harris County GOP Chair Jared Woodfill, on behalf of plaintiffs Jack Pidgeon and Larry Hicks. It is pending a hearing on January 6, 2014.[20]

Bexar County

In June 1999, a gay rights activist asked Bexar County officials to establish a legal registry for those who want to declare themselves same-sex domestic partners. County officials sought a ruling from Texas Attorney General John Cornyn, who responded that such declarations constituted an attempt to establish a legal relationship similar to marriage, a violation of Texas law. Bexar County denied the request in December.[21]

On February 4, 2014, Bexar County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 in favor of allowing county employee benefits to be extended to domestic partners.[22]

2013 Texas attorney general opinion

In April 2013, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott opined that Article I, Section 32 of the Texas Constitution prohibits a political subdivision of the state from "creating a legal status of domestic partnership and recognizing that status by offering public benefits based upon it." The opinion request from state Senator Dan Patrick inquired about political subdivisions that "offer some form of insurance benefits to domestic partnerships" as part of their employee benefit programs. Article I, Section 32 says that "[t]his state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage." The attorney general said that a city, county, or independent school district is a "political subdivision" for this purpose. He also said, "By establishing eligibility criteria and requiring affidavits and other legal documentation to demonstrate applicants' eligibility to be considered domestic partners, ... political subdivisions have purported to create a legal status of domestic partnership that is not otherwise recognized under Texas law. Furthermore, the political subdivisions 'recognize' that legal status by providing benefits to individuals who attain that status." As for whether the domestic partnerships are "similar" to marriage, the attorney general said "a court is likely to conclude that the domestic partnership legal status ... is 'similar to marriage' and therefore barred" by the constitution.[23]

In response, the Austin Independent School District decided not to offer health benefits to the domestic partners of its employees.[24] However, the Austin Independent School District changed its position in August 2013, and has moved forward to offer health benefits to domestic partners of employees. City Manager Marc Ott and Mayor Lee Leffingwell of the City of Austin said that the city would not change its domestic partners benefits policy.[25] Sam Biscoe, the county judge of Travis County, said that the county would not change its policy because, "Legally, we are in good shape."[26] A spokesperson for Fort Worth said the city did not expect any problems from the opinion because "Our domestic partner policy does not say anything about marriage or gender."[26] El Paso mayor John Cook said, "The attorney general's opinion is nothing but that - it's an opinion that doesn't have the enforcement of a court case."[27] Veronica Escobar, the county judge of El Paso County, said that the opinion was not binding and that the county would continue to provide benefits to the unmarried partners of its employees.[28]

Marriage

Statute

In 1997, the Texas legislature prohibited the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.[29] In 2003, the legislature enacted a statute that made void in Texas any same-sex marriage or civil union.[30] This statute also prohibits the state or any agency or political subdivision of the state from giving effect to same-sex marriages or civil unions performed in other jurisdictions.[31]

During the legislature's 2013 regular session, House Bill 1300 by Representative Lon Burnam would have repealed the same-sex marriage prohibition;[32] however, the bill died in the State Affairs committee of the house of representatives.[33] Senate Bill 480 by Senator Juan Hinojosa would have repealed only the civil union prohibition;[34] however, this bill also died in committee.[35]

Constitution

On November 8, 2005, Texas voters approved Texas Proposition 2 that amended the state constitution to define marriage as consisting "only of the union of one man and one woman" and prohibiting the state or any political subdivision of the state from creating or recognizing "any legal status identical or similar to marriage."[36] The Save Texas Marriage political action committee, which opposed the amendment, argued before the vote that the poorly drafted amendment would ban all forms of marriage, a view the Texas attorney general rejected when the language was considered by the Texas senate.[37] Kelly Shackleford, the president of the Free Market Foundation and a supporter of the amendment, said, "The words clearly recognize marriage in Texas as between a man and a woman...." and do not ban marriage in general.[37]

During the legislature's 2013 regular session, House Joint Resolution 77[38] by Representative Rafael Anchia, House Joint Resolution 78[39] by Representative Garnet Coleman, and Senate Joint Resolution 29[40] by Senator José R. Rodríguez would have repealed the constitutional definition of marriage; however, all these resolutions died in their respective committees.[41][42][43]

Federal lawsuit

Main article: De Leon v. Perry

In November 2013, two same-sex couples challenged the state's same-sex marriage ban in U.S. District Court,[44] which ruled in their favor on February 26, 2014,[45] while staying enforcement of its ruling pending appeal.[46] The state has appealed the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

State lawsuits

Divorce for same-sex couples

In the Matter of the Marriage of A.L.F.L. and K.L.L.

On February 18, 2014, a same-sex couple, married in Washington D.C., filed for divorce and child custody lawsuit.[47] On April 23, 2014, Judge Barbara Nellermoe, of the 45th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, ruled that three portions of the Texas Family Code, as well as Section 32 of the Texas Constitution, were unconstitutional.[48] On April 25, 2014, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott appealed the decision.[49] On May 15, 2014, Judge Nellermoe rejected a push by state officials to block a same-sex couple’s divorce and child-custody case from proceeding. She also set a May 29 custody hearing in San Antonio for the fight between the couple over custody of their daughter.[50]

In Re Marriage of J.B. and H.B.

In 2009, a same-sex couple that had married in Massachusetts filed for divorce in Dallas, but before the district court could grant the divorce the Texas Attorney General intervened and challenged the court's jurisdiction to do so. On October 2, 2009, the district court ruled, in the case of In Re Marriage of J.B. and H.B. that, to the extent Texas laws purported to prevent two men who were legally married in Massachusetts from getting a divorce in Texas, those laws were unconstitutional.[51] But the Texas Attorney General appealed, and on August 31, 2010, the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas reversed the lower court, ruling that the same-sex marriage ban does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, even when used to prevent a legally-married couple from obtaining a divorce.[52][53]

The case is pending before the Texas Supreme Court, with oral arguments set for November 5, 2013.[54][55][56]

Texas v. Naylor

In Austin, another same-sex couple married in Massachusetts filed for divorce, and the district court actually granted the divorce before the Attorney General could intervene. The Attorney General appealed that decision too, but on January 7, 2011, the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, in the case of Texas v. Naylor held that the state had no right to intervene in the case, to challenge the divorce on appeal.[57]

The case is pending before the Texas Supreme Court. Oral arguments took place November 5, 2013.[54][55][56]

Public opinion

Since 2009, Texans between the ages of 18 and 29 have increasingly supported same-sex marriage at a faster rate than that of the general population. In June 2009, the University of Texas found that 49 percent of that age group supported same-sex marriage as opposed to 29 percent of the general population. In February 2013, it found that 59 percent of them did so while only 37 percent of the general population had the same opinion. Opposition from Texans between the ages of 18 and 29 dropped 12 points in the same period, from 28 to 16 percent. At the same time, opposition from the general population in Texan dropped 5 points, from 52.7 percent to 47.5 percent.[74] Glengariff Group, Inc., in conjunction with the pro-LGBT rights Equality Texas Foundation, found that support in that age group rose from 53.6 percent in 2010 to 67.9 percent in 2013 while within the general population in Texas, support rose from 42.7 percent to 47.9 percent.[75]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Texas Constitution
  2. ↑ Texas Family Code
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Domestic Partner and Registration Policies, 1984-1997". yaledailynews.com. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  4. ↑ "DOMESTIC PARTNERS" (PDF). unmarriedamerica.org. September 1995. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  5. ↑ "BAILEY v. THE CITY OF AUSTIN". caselaw.findlaw.com. May 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Voters approved policy prohibiting benefits for employees’ same-sex partners in 1994; move underway to hold new vote". dallasvoice.com. February 3, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Why Do They Say 'Open Government' and 'Clean Water' Like They Were Bad Ideas? The Controversy Over Propositions One and Two". theaustinbulldog.org. July 16, 1998. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "BREAKING: Dallas County approves domestic partner insurance benefits". dallasvoice.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ "El Paso Grants Domestic Partners Benefits". joemygod.blogspot.com. August 26, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  10. ↑ "City Council To Consider Repealing Voter-Approved Benefits Initiative". kvia.com. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Anti-Gay Ballot Initiatives Hurt Straight People, Too". The Huffington Post. November 5, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ "El Paso, Texas Retains Ban on Domestic Partner Benefits". towleroad.com. November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  13. ↑ "El Paso City Council Restores Domestic Partner Benefits in Tie Vote, Broken by Mayor". towleroad.com. May 15, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Fort Worth's new domestic partners' insurance plan begins Jan. 1". allvoices.com. December 25, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  15. ↑ "San Antonio City Council extends domestic partnership benefits to city employees". offthekuff.com. September 18, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  16. ↑ "El Paso County becomes 2nd in Texas to offer domestic partner benefits". dallasvoice.com. August 13, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Top 10: Dallas County finally added DP benefits". dallasvoice.com. December 12, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Major Ballot Victories in Michigan and Florida; Loss in Houston", Common Dreams, November 7, 2001
  19. ↑ "Mayor Parker Announces New Policy Regarding Benefits for Same Sex Spouses of City Employees". The City of Houston. November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Texas judge halts Houston’s domestic partnership benefit program". http://equalityontrial.com. December 18, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Attorney general denies request for domestic partners registry". http://amarillo.com. December 20, 1999. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Domestic Partner Benefits Approved For Bexar County Employees". tpr.org. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  23. ↑ Opinion GA-1003, Texas Attorney General, April 29, 2013
  24. ↑ Taboada, Melissa B. (June 28, 2013). "AISD will not offer health benefits to domestic partners". Statesman.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  25. ↑ "AG Greg Abbott: City & ISD Domestic Partner Benefits Unconstitutional". Texas Public Radio. April 30, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Llorca, Juan Carlos (May 3, 2013). "Attorney General's same-sex opinion doesn't worry entities". Kxan.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  27. ↑ Burbank, Whitney; Martinez, Leonard (April 30, 2013). "Texas AG: Domestic partner benefits unconstitutional, Bishop Tom Brown threatens city with lawsuit". Kvia.com. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  28. ↑ Ramirez, Cindy (June 27, 2013). "Justices strike down DOMA: El Paso gay groups, officials cheer shift toward equality". El Paso Times. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  29. ↑ Texas Family Code sec. 2.001(b)
  30. ↑ Texas Family Code sec. 6.204
  31. ↑ Texas Family Code sec. 6.204(c)
  32. ↑ House Bill 1300 - Introduced Text, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  33. ↑ House Bill 1300 History, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  34. ↑ Senate Bill 480 - Introduced Text, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  35. ↑ Senate Bill 480 History, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  36. ↑ Article I, Section 32 of the Texas Constitution states: "(a) Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman. (b) This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage."
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Marriage-Amendment Backers Claim Fraud". World Net Daily. October 26, 2005. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  38. ↑ House Joint Resolution 77 - Introduced Text, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  39. ↑ House Joint Resolution 78 - Introduced Text, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  40. ↑ Senate Joint Resolution 29 - Introduced Text, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  41. ↑ House Joint Resolution 77 History, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  42. ↑ House Joint Resolution 78 History, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  43. ↑ Senate Joint Resolution 29 History, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013
  44. ↑ Parker, Kolten (December 11, 2013). "Federal judge sets hearing on Texas same-sex marriage ban". mysanantonio.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  45. ↑ Brubaker Calkins, Laurel (27 February 2014). "Texas Gay-Marriage Ban Held Illegal as Judge Delays Order". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  46. ↑ Garrett, Robert (February 26, 2014). "Federal judge voids Texas' gay marriage ban, though he delays order from taking effect immediately". Dallas News. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Lawsuits Pending". Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Judge: Texas can't bar gay marriage — or divorce". Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  49. ↑ State Attorney General Challanges Bexar County Same-Sex Divorce
  50. ↑ "Texas judge blocks state from intervening in gay couple’s divorce case". Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Texas Battle on Gay Marriage Looms", The New York Times, reported by James C. McKinley Jr., October 2, 2009
  52. ↑ In re Marriage of J.B. and H.B., 326 S.W.3d 654 (Tex. App. - Dallas (5th Dist.) 2010)
  53. ↑ Appleton, Roy (September 1, 2010). "Dallas judge's ruling saying gay couple could divorce in Texas rejected on appeal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 No. 11-0024, the Supreme Court of Texas Blog
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 No. 11-0114 the Supreme Court of Texas Blog
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Rozen, Miriam (December 17, 2012). "Tex Parte Blog: Lawyer in two same-sex divorce cases awaits Texas Supreme Court decision on petitions for review". Texas Lawyer. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  57. ↑ Kreytak, Steven (January 7, 2011). "Same-sex divorce stands under appellate ruling: Attorney general did not have standing to intervene in case, court declares". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  58. ↑ "GLBT TEXAS ISSUES SURVEY" (PDF). Glengariff Group, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 "Texas Survey Results, Public Policy Polling, Question 2, September 15-18, 2011" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Clinton could win Texas in 2016" (PDF). Public Policy Polling. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  61. ↑ "GLBT TEXAS ISSUES SURVEY" (PDF). Glengariff Group, Inc. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 "Cornyn favored for reelection despite low approval" (PDF). Public Policy Polling. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  63. ↑ "A Decade of Change in American Attitudes about Same-Sex Marriage and LGBT Issues" (PDF). Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  64. ↑ "University of Texas, Government Department, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: June 11-22, 2009, Question 38, page 12" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  65. ↑ "Texas Lyceum Poll, Spring 2009, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: June 5-12, 2009, Question 55, page 11" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  66. ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Tribune, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: February 1-7, 2010, Question 41, page 11" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  67. ↑ "Texas Lyceum Poll, Fall 2010, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: September 22-30, 2010, Question 27, page 11" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  68. ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Tribune, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: May 11-18, 2011, Question 24, page 7" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  69. ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Tribune, Texas Statewide Survey, Field Dates: February 8-15, 2012, Question 43, page 14" (PDF). Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  70. ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Tribune, Texas Statewide Survey". Laits.utexas.edu. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  71. ↑ "University of Texas / Texas Tribune, Texas Statewide Survey". Laits.utexas.edu. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  72. ↑ "UT/TT Poll: Partisan Splits on Guns in Texas". The Texas Tribune. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  73. ↑ How a gay marriage ban was just struck down in one of the most conservative states
  74. ↑ "The Polling Center: Texans' View of Gay Marriage Shifts". Texas Tribune. March 26, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  75. ↑ "GLBT TEXAS ISSUES SURVEY" (PDF). Glengariff Group, Inc. Retrieved July 4, 2013.