Some Rational Thinking!

My colleague Ally Frueh recently presented a case for the widening acceptance of same-sex couples and their relationships. In "Marriage Equality in Texas", she identified a study performed by UT-Austin that demonstrates and definite shift in attitudes towards LGBT couples and the possibility of their legal union.

Ms. Frueh does an excellent job of pointing out the findings behind the study results and even quotes local statutes. Her usage of supporting legal language provides an intelligent and thought-provoking look at changes of society.

Other than the quoted numbers in the article, however, there is no further linking to prove this acceptance (right along the "90% of facts are made up on the spot. See? I just did it!). There is a fairly recent article that documents what could be a boon for political and governmental changes in the very near future, as it sets a legal precedent.

The State of Texas officially permitted the divorce of a lesbian couple in 2010. The couple was married in Massachusetts in 2004 soon after gay marriage legalization. They moved to Texas a subsequently adopted a child. In 2010 the filed for divorce. After several appeals and challenges by AG Greg Abbott, the divorce was granted in 2011 by the 3rd District Court of Appeals. http://www.dallasvoice.com/breaking-texas-appeals-court-upholds-gay-divorce-rules-ags-office-austin-case-1059966.html

News to Me!

I pulled out my voter registration card last week to brush it off and get ready to vote. I hadn't reviewed the card when it arrived in the mail so imagine my surprise when I noticed that my congressional district had changed. I was already located within what I considered a fairly "Gerrymandered" district, so I was curious what the court-designed maps had delivered.

It turns out my old representative's district moved a mile or so south of the former northern boundaries. The new district appears as a projection of just a mile wide and a few miles long from a boundary that includes Waco and College Station, but not Taylor or Temple. Great, now instead of voting with Houstonians, I get to vote with Aggies and Bears.

Best to review my new representation so off to the Google I went. I was able to find out the voting record and bills introduced by the incumbent, but am still looking for information about his challenger. In fact, were it not for the sample ballot, I might not even know there WAS a challenger. Judging by the coverage of signs by the old representative, it looks like many don't know their district has changed either.

At this point, I'm left with a guy that I can see where he stands, and the guy running against him. Presumably, by their names and government imagery they are both middle-aged white men. It's no wonder people show up at the polls with the sheer determination to vote AGAINST someone, rather than for a candidate. It looks like this girl will be under-represented in Texas, again.