Houston-Galveston Area Council Backs off of Same-Sex Benefits

Houston, TX – Texas Values commends the efforts of Texas Pastor Council Executive Director Dave Welch and the Houston-Galveston Area Council today on its decision to delay a proposed policy that would extend retirement benefits to same-sex couples.  Texas Pastors urged caution because same-sex marriage is not legal in Texas and because Attorney General Greg Abbott has issued an opinion that taking such actions violates our State Constitution.

“Thankfully some leaders in the Houston-area are starting to recognize that they must follow Texas law on marriage,” said Jonathan Saenz, attorney and president of Texas Values. “That’s encouraging, but Houston Mayor Annise Parker still thinks she’s above the law, and her violations of federal and state law are doing more damage to the Houston people every day,” concluded Saenz.

Two weeks ago a Houston-based state district court judge in Houston granted a temporary injunction and ordered Houston Mayor Annise Parker and the City of Houston to immediately stop recognizing same-sex ‘marriages’ and stop providing benefits to the same-sex couples ‘married’ in other states. The state judge noted that “This court does not legislative from the bench” and ordered the injunction to stay in place until a trial date of December 2015. The state court lawsuit was filed by a team of lawyers led by Jared Woodfill, former chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, along with Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz.

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Texas Values is a non-profit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.