Many of you know by now that I am an Austin, Texas, lawyer focusing on constitutional law, and that I live in Austin with my 17 year old son who is a college freshman here.  Tomorrow (May 19, 2005), the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs will be hearing public testimony on the proposed Amendment to the Texas Constitution banning same-sex marriage and other arrangements “similar to” marriage, possibly including common law or informal marriage which is recognized in Texas.

My son has prepared written testimony for submission to the Committee, and is working with several of his college friends who are also doing so.  I wanted to share his testimony with you, as a proud Dad.
Testimony Prepared for the State Affairs Committee of the Texas Senate, Hearing on HJR 6, May 19, 2005

Prepared and Respectfully Submitted by:
Zane [full name redacted]
[address redacted]
Austin, Texas 78701
[e-mail redacted]  

I am a student at Austin Community College originally from Fort Worth.  This summer I will be taking a class on Texas Government, so I am here doing my homework in advance.  I will turn 18 in July, and I will register to vote on or before my birthday.  Please do not make me cast my first vote in an election on this misguided Amendment which would write discrimination into our Constitution.

Like most Texans my age, I am Straight but not Narrow.

This proposed Amendment is all about religion.  I grew up going to Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth.  My parents and my Church taught me to read the Bible for myself.  I do not need Warren Chissum and Robert Talton to teach me Sunday School in the Texas Constitution by writing into it their own narrow religious views about homosexuality or what constitutes a good and appropriate marriage, whether formal or informal.

HJR 6 would render many Texans second class citizens.  Who will be the next class of Texas citizens told to stay at the back of the bus?

This proposed Amendment rises out of bigotry, hatred, irrational fear, or, at the most charitable, misunderstanding, about gay and lesbian Texans.  Frankly, there is enough fear and misunderstanding, and too much bigotry and hatred, in our society, without the legislature encouraging such emotions by putting an Amendment such as this to a vote of our people.

Like many Texas students in our colleges and universities, I hope to find a good job in Texas when I graduate.  What kind of message does it send to national and international business considering locating in Texas when you are writing discrimination against some people who will be or are their employees into our Constitution?  What Dutch, Belgian, Spanish or Canadian company would want to locate in our State?  Please, Senators, do not take any steps to discourage the growth of jobs in Texas.  I plan on one being available for me.

I am greatly concerned about the threat Senator Ellis received when he placed a hold on an earlier hearing.  An election on this amendment is likely to stir a great deal of passion, and violence and threats of violence will most likely occur.  Senators, I live in the neighborhood of the Capitol and the Travis County Courthouse.  I go to the ACC Rio Grande campus right down the street.  I frequently walk by the Capitol on my way to Stubbs or other music venues.  Acts of violence which occur during an election on this proposed Amendment or a following court case are more likely to occur in my neighborhood than perhaps in any other neighborhood in Texas.   Please work to keep me and other students at ACC safe, and do not encourage violence by passing HJR 6.

Finally, like many Texans my age, my principal source of news is the Daily Show.  I have been able to follow the Texas House pretty effectively this session by watching Jon Stewart.  I hope I do not see The Texas Senate on his show.

I want to thank each of your for your work in public service, for your consideration of my testimony and for giving me a headstart in my Texas Government class.