Marriage Gains Momentum…

A judge in Tennessee has upheld its state’s marriage laws defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The case dealt with a homosexual couple that ‘married’ in another state and was seeking a divorce in Tennessee, despite Tennessee laws not recognizing same-sex ‘marriage.’ A similar case has also been heard at the Texas Supreme Court and is awaiting a decision. In the strongly worded decision, Judge Russell Simmons stated that the ongoing battle over marriage is about:

“…what unions are included in the definition of marriage. The Legislative Branch of Tennessee and the voters of Tennessee said the definition of marriage should be as it always has been. That man’s best definition of marriage will always be the union of one man and one woman. The Court also finds that this should be the prerogative of each State. That neither the Federal government nor another state should be allowed to dictate to Tennessee what has traditionally been a state’s responsibility, which is to provide a framework of laws to govern the safety and wellbeing of its citizens.”

We applaud Judge Simmons for following the law and respecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman overwhelming supported by voters and the legislature of Tennessee. We should expect more judges to follow suit and respect the law. The Federal government and activist judges have no authority to redefine marriage in Texas, Tennessee, or any other state. It should continue to be a state’s right to recognize the ‘best definition of marriage’ and affirm the unique good that a Mom and Dad play in a child’s life. Read more.

The attacks on the Pro-Life Omnibus Law, HB 2, by Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights continued in court this week with closing arguments made in front of U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel.  In the lawsuit, Whole Woman’s Health vs. Lakey, pro-abortion groups are targeting the provision that requires abortion facilities to meet the same safety requirements that other surgical centers in Texas are already required to meet and are seeking to exempt two abortion centers from the requirement that abortionists have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

This new attack comes on the heels of the Fifth Circuit already upholding two provisions of HB 2 earlier this year. Specifically, provisions requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting provisions at a nearby hospital and tightened safety guidelines for the abortion drug RU486 were upheld. In closing arguments, Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell offered a strong argument in defense of the pro-life law, reiterating the strong decision of the Fifth Circuit in already upholding HB 2. Sadly, these lawsuits continue to demonstrate the reality that the pro-abortion industry seeks to profit from abortion without even meeting the most basic and commonsense safety regulations. A decision could come before the end of the month.

Join Us at Defending the American Dream Summit

Texas Values will have a booth at AFP’s Defending the American Dream Summit in Dallas on Labor Day weekend. The summit will join together thousands of grassroots conservatives from around the country and will feature Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry, Dr. Ben Carson, Gov. Mike Pence and many other state and national leaders. The summit is August 29-30 at the Omni Hotel Dallas. Get your ticket here. We also need volunteers to help work our booth. If you are interested, please contact us at [email protected].

Around the country an out of control and activist federal government and judiciary is engaged in a massive state-by-state effort to redefine marriage. These radical efforts threaten the rule of law and Texans’ fundamental right to self-governance. Further, those seeking to redefine marriage want to force everyone to celebrate the homosexual lifestyle and seek to trample the religious liberty rights of individuals, businesses, and churches. Join the fight for marriage – sign the Texas Marriage Declaration today.