Texas Republicans Want To Criminalize Being Gay

A party platform approved last week by Texas Republicans meeting
 at their annual convention calls for the criminalization of being gay.

Calling being gay “contrary” to American ideals, the Texas GOP's 2010
State Republican Party Platform comes out swinging on all fronts against
 gay men and lesbians. The document rails against being gay, rejects
 the idea of families headed by gay couples and is opposed to gay rights, including gay marriage, adoption of children by gay couples and equal
workplace benefits for the spouses of gay employees.

The party also wants free reign to bash gays, saying “We oppose any
criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality
out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values.”

The platform also is critical of gay men and lesbians marrying, urging
Congress and state legislatures to approve constitutional amendments
 banning gay marriage and supports making it a felony “to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple and for any civil official to perform a marriage ceremony for such.”

And by coming out against the legalization of sodomy, the
Texas GOP is advocating for the criminalization of being gay.

The Supreme Court's 2003 Lawrence v. Texas ruling declared
sodomy laws to be unconstitutional. Texas' sodomy law, enacted
 in 1860, prescribed a five to 15 year prison term for violators.

BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF 
PUBLISHED: JUNE 23, 2010