Soulforce Media Director Paige Schilt and spouse request marriage license in Texas

[Jamie McDaniel]

Gay Couples Try To Get Married

This is a radio story. To hear the story, press the play button at the link above. Or you can just read the transcript I typed up.

Reporter: As part of the 10th annual National Freedom to Marry week, Katie Koontz and her partner Paige Schilt joined fifteen gay rights activists at the Travis county clerk's office.

Katie: Well we're going to go in and apply for a marriage license.

Reporter: Are you nervous?

Katie: I am very nervous, actually.

Reporter: Bob Moralles works at the reception desk.

Bob: In the state of Texas there is a law that states we cannot issue a license for same sex and I apologize.

Paige: I'm sorry. I know you are just doing your job. But we just want to express that we have been together seven years, we have a three and a half year old son together and we feel that this discrimination really harms our family and really limits our ability to protect our family.

Reporter: The Texas constitution already defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman before the legislature passed an amendment in 2005 to ban gay marriage. So the couples request for a marriage license was symbolic. Nevertheless, they still hope same-sex marriage will eventually be legalized. According to Nate Blakesley, that is unlikely. Seventy-six percent of Texans supported the amendment to ban gay marriage. Blakesley is an editor at Texas Monthly.

Blakesley: What would have to happen now is for that amendment would have to be repealed, which would require another referendum, and would require a majority of Texas voters to endorse gay marriage.

Reporter: Paul Scott directs Equality Texas, a gay and lesbian advocacy group.

Paul: We see that public opinion is changing across the country. And just because policy is being made in the capital in the state of Texas, we still believe that we need to continue to advocate for couples.

Reporter: As of today, twenty-six states have passed amendments banning gay marriage. Six states allow civil unions or domestic partnerships. Only Massachusetts recognizes gay marriage. Sarah Bush, KUT News.

[andrewlittle]

Bob: In the state of Texas there is a law that states we cannot issue a license for same sex and I apologize.

I find Bob's response to be a tiny little bit counter-cultural given the public's attitude in Texas.

I also find Paige's and Katie's actions, as well as those of all the others, to be very courageous.

Never under-estimate the power of a small group of committed people ...

[BruceChris]

As I have been at loose ends for some time, I envy them. God bless them.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[glbt_equality]

On behalf of the glbt community in Tyler, TX, we wish them all the best in this endeavor.

On March 5th, I'll be attending Lobby Day in Austin, along our local PFLAG President and another friend to speak with Texas lawmakers, and part of our agenda is to encourage marriage rights for gays, lesbians and transgendered persons. Not that I expect it will make an earthshaking or immediate difference, but we do contunue fighting the good fight!

Our trip to Austin is being coordinated through a group called EqualityTexas, and I encourage all Texas residents to attend. You can go to their website (http://www.equalitytexas.org/) for more details.

Best wishes, Troy Carlyle (glbt_equality@yahoo.com)