Texas lawmakers could vote this week to pass a law that would block same-sex marriage, even as the US supreme court considers whether to make it legal across the US.
Since the start of the current legislative session in January, Texas Republicans have proposed more than 20 bills meant to weaken LGBT rights in the state – one of the 13 states where such marriages are still banned.
Up for debate on Tuesday is HB 4105, which seeks to bar state and local officials from issuing same-sex marriage licenses or recognizing same-sex marriages performed in another state. It would also prohibit government funds from being used to enforce same-sex marriage.
If the bill passes, it will reach the conservative state senate, which it is expected to clear. The final stop is Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. He has defended the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in the past.
It must be passed in the House by Thursday at midnight to proceed.
As HB 4105 trickles through the state legislature, similar legislation is also being considered by lawmakers.
On Monday, the state senate voted in favor of a bill that clergy members and religious organizations do not have to perform same-sex marriages, should it become legal in the state. They would also be allowed to refuse services to couples if doing so violates a “sincerely held religious belief”.
A vote for the House version of that bill was scheduled for Tuesday.
The US supreme court is set to rule on whether same-sex marriage is a constitutionally protected right by the end of June.
Eric Lesh, the fair courts project manager for Lambda Legal, said it is “irresponsible” of the Texas legislature to try to defy the supreme court’s decision.
“The continued push for such blatantly discriminatory legislation illustrates that the Texas legislature is determined to demean LGBT people while confusing state employees who must follow the law set by the highest court in the country,” said Lesh. “The Texas legislature does not and should not get to pick and choose which parts of the US constitution it will follow.”
