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JANUARY 20, 2005:
Texas Libertarian Party Opposes HJR 6 Gay Marriage Ban
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Patrick Dixon, Libertarian Party State Chair: 512-771-3936 chair@lptexas.org
Wes Benedict, LPT Executive Director: 512-442-4910 wes220@aol.com
Kris Overstreet, LPT Media Coordinator: 936-685-4992 cell 936-425-6523
media@lptexas.org
The Libertarian Party of Texas condemns a proposed state constitutional amendment against gay marriage as government interference in personal relationships and religion, according to state party chairman Patrick Dixon. "Texas state government needs to focus on its constitutional responsibilities instead of re-defining itself to intrude on the
responsibilities of churches and families," said Dixon in a statement given January 19th.
House Joint Resolution 6, sponsored by Republican state representative Warren Chisum, would prohibit all forms of marriage except that between one man and one woman. It has provoked opposition from several groups, including Democratic Party of Texas chair Charles Soechting and the organization PracticeWhatYouPreach.org.
"I join Charles Soechting and Practice What You Preach in opposition to this constitutional amendment. The purpose of a constitution is to limit the power and scope of government. In a time of ever growing government control, we need to reverse the trend. Marriage is the domain of churches and families, not government."
Dixon noted that government intrusion into marriage began when the first marriage licenses were issued after the Civil War to prevent inter-racial marriage. "The founder of our country, George Washington, did not have a marriage license. He did not need government to define marriage for him. Does that make his marriage to Martha any less valid without the government
stamp of approval?"
The Libertarian Party regards prohibitions against same-sex marriage as the government establishment of religious tenets as law, in violation of the First Amendment.
"As a Christian, I do not look to Ted Kennedy, Tom Delay, or Bill Clinton for my moral guidance," said Dixon. "I will not have politicians dictate my religious beliefs."
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