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TX: Federal Court Blocks Removal of Pro-Gay El Paso City Council Members

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

El Paso Recall BlockedA federal appeals court has blocked a recall election to remove three El Paso, Texas elected officials who backed gay rights, the El Paso Times reported.

Pastor Tom Brown of the Word of Life Church led an effort to oust El Paso Mayor John Cook and two City Council members, Steve Ortega and Susie Byrd, because they supported giving health insurance benefits to the unmarried domestic partners of city workers.

The battle began in 2009, when the Council approved giving benefits to the unmarried domestic partners of city employees, regardless of sexual orientation. Opponents, led by Brown, forced a voter referendum, which was approved with 55 percent of the vote in 2010.

Full Story from On Top Magazine

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TX: Valentine’s Day Marriage Equality Rally in Houston

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Houston Marriage Equality RallyBarbara Ervin and Enita Torres held hands as the couple tried to do the most romantic thing possible on Valentine’s Day — apply for a marriage license.But just like about a half dozen other same-sex couples, Ervin and Torres were swiftly denied by Harris County officials. A decision that came as no surprise to any of the couples who applied.

“It’s kind of empowering to come and say ‘This is my right,’” said Torres, who has been dating Ervin for 25 years. “Education is ongoing and it’s a reminder that we aren’t going away.”

The couple, who have two children in their 30s, took part in a Valentine’s Day Protest and March for marriage equality, sponsored by the Family Marriage Equality Foundation. Tuesday’s march and protest was the tenth annual Valentine’s Day event for the group.

Full Story from Chron.com

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Dallas Mayor Refuses to Sign Marriage Equality Pledge

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Dallas Mayor Mike RawlingsDallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has been a proponent of marriage equality. He’s marched in Pride Parades. But as Andy noted yesterday, Mayor Rawlings for some reason refuses to endorse the pro-equality pledge already signed by 100 of the nation’s most important mayors. In fact, Mayor Rawlings is the only mayor of a city of Dallas’s size that has thus far refused to sign. And as a result of his refusal, LGBT activists last night picketed his office.

This afternoon, Mayor Rawlings met privately with approximately 25 representatives from Dallas’s LGBT community. From The Dallas Voice:

“To be a great city we have to have everybody feel a part of it,” Rawlings told a throng of news reporters as he left Resource Center Dallas, where the closed-door meeting took place. “Obviously, the LGBT community feels at times that they’re disenfranchised.”

Full Story from Towleroad.com

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Texas: PFLAG to Hold Marriage Equality March in Brownsville on February 10th

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

PFLAG Brownsville Marriage Equality MarchStates like Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa and New York already legalized same sex marriage. It’s illegal in Texas, however, John Sutterby said it’s only a matter of time before it becomes legal.

Sutterby is a Minister and President of the All Souls Unitarian Universal Church in Brownsville. “It’s a difficult legal situation, where you have a legal contract recognized in some states and not in the rest of the United States,” Sutterby said.

“States have the right to regulate what marriages they recognize, but generally, if it’s recognized in one state, it will be recognized in another state.” The Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG Brownsville Chapter, will host a marriage equality march February 10 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Brownsville.

Full Story from Valley Central

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Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Events Etc., Houston, Texas

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Periodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Friendly Wedding Vendors in Texas

Events Etc, Houston, TexasEvents Etc: “Where Beautiful Ceremonies are NOT Expensive.”

We offer many Austin wedding services, including entertainment, catering, decorations and much more.

We’re very flexible – you can remove items you don’t want or need, and will adjust the price accordingly.

Our catering services are offered in varying price ranges, or you can bring in your own food or caterer if you wish.

You can also bring your own alcohol and stock the bar with whatever you’d like.

Our wedding facility will be fully decorated in your wedding colors. Our ballroom features beautiful hardwood floors, and a two-story ceiling draped in shimmering silver to reflect the dance lights & mood lighting that our DJ offers.

See the Events Etc. Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

TX: Judge OK’s Recall Effort Over El Paso’s Reinstatement of Domestic Partnership Benefits

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

El Paso RecallA Texas judge has ruled that Pastor Tom Brown’s recall election against El Paso’s mayor may take place. Anti-gay Christian activists are attempting to remove the mayor and two members of the city council for voting to reinstate domestic partners insurance for city employees.

Pastor Tom Brown initiated the recall drive after Cook and council members Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega voted to overturn the limiting of benefits to legal spouses and their children. Brown, who pastors El Paso’s Word of Life Church, had led the effort that led to voter approval of those limits last year.

Mayor Cook challenged the recall effort, arguing that Brown violated state election law by using church resources to collect signatures for the recall petition. The Alliance Defense Fund is challenging the constitutionality of that law in federal court.

Full Story from Joe.My.God

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TX: Hundreds March for Marriage Equality in Corpus Christi

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Texas Gay Marriage RalliesHundreds of people are rallying for marriage equality. Saturday, a large group gathered in front of the American Bank Center and marched down Shoreline to People’s Street. The group chanted, “what do we want? Equality?

When do we want it? Now!” People of all ages and walks of life took part in the event. Many were local students from LGBT groups. At the rally, several speakers took the podium with one message.

Full Story from KIII TV

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TX: Marriage Equality March Held in Harlingen

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Texas Gay Marriage RalliesGiovanna De Leon held up a rainbow gay pride flag as she walked through downtown Harlingen Saturday morning as part of the city’s first Coming Out for Marriage Equality Walk. “As Texans, we should never give up hope that same-sex marriage will be legalized in the state,” De Leon, of Mission, said.

More than 80 people joined De Leon in the event, which was hosted by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, in downtown Harlingen, Cindy Candia, co-president of the Harlingen PFLAG chapter, said.

Coming Out for Marriage Equality walks and rallies have been held across the state this month. An event was held in Brownsville on Friday.

Full Story from The Monitor

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TX: Marriage Equality March Held in Brownsville

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Texas Gay Marriage RalliesGiovanna De Leon held up a rainbow gay-pride flag as she walked through downtown Harlingen Saturday morning as part of the city’s first Coming Out for Marriage Equality Walk. “As Texans, we should never give up hope that same-sex marriage will be legalized in the state,” De Leon, of Mission, said.

More than 80 persons joined De Leon in the event hosted by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, in downtown Harlingen, Cindy Candia, co-president of the Harlingen PFLAG chapter, said.

Coming Out for Marriage Equality walks and rallies have been held across the state this month. One event was held in Brownsville on Friday.

Full Story from the Brownsville Herald

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TX: Couples to Marry, March on Saturday

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Texas Gay Marriage RalliesAshlyn Jones and Amanda Evans are getting married in downtown Dallas this weekend. They invited 50 of their friends, but would like everyone to attend. “I want people I don’t even know to come and say, ‘Congratulations,’” Jones said. “That would be awesome.”

Jones and Evans are one of at least five couples that will participate in a mass wedding on Saturday evening at Founder’s Plaza in front of the Dallas County Records Building, as part of a protest in support of marriage equality.

Event organizer Daniel Cates said the couples are encouraged to apply for a marriage license inside the Records Building earlier in the week, even though those applications will be denied.

Full Story from the Dallas Voice

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