Texans Come Out for Marriage Equality
On Saturday, October 15th, Texans came out in a big way to support equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The group GetEQUAL TX called for statewide marches, rallies and wedding ceremonies known as “Coming Out for Marriage Equality,” and communities across Texas answered the call.
Events hosted by GetEQUAL TX, PFLAG and local Gay Straight Alliances were seen in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Huntsville, Odessa, and Brownsville. The West Texas branch of GetEQUAL TX hosted the first ever pro-LGBT rally held in Odessa, and for likely the first time in Texas history, our community rallied to demand equal treatment under the law rather than to defend itself against anti-LGBT legislation. Tiffani Bishop, one of the organizers with GetEQUAL TX for the Austin event noted, “We took a proactive stance in demanding the repeal of legislation which was specifically designed to deny equality to our families.”
Suzan Cooke, a transwoman who participated in the marriage ceremony in Dallas, discussed the meaning of the event for her and her wife on her blog, womenborntransexual.com, “Our publicly made vows witnessed by some 200 people of the various communities we consider our peers makes this marriage real within our hearts. The people who matter most recognize that which the bigots would deny. Our public act is but a grain of sand in the wind, yet many grains of sand in the wind can wear away mountains.”
In San Antonio, about 100 people marched from Milam Park to the
Bexar County Courthouse in protest. After the march, attendees
heard from community organizers with GetEQUAL TX and student
organizers from Trinity University. John Dean Domingue, the South
Texas District Lead for GetEQUAL TX, spoke about the diversity of
the crowd, “It was great to see so many parents at this event.
This shows that the broader community cares, which is good news
for the over 17,000 children living in same-sex headed
households.”
While most of the events went on without the presence of
counter-protesters, the Odessa event drew some criticism. Amanda
Callender sat alone in protest of the rally until she was later
joined by several children. “I'm religious so a lot of what I say
is based off religion. It's not supposed to be that way. I'm
defending my beliefs just like they're defending theirs,” she
said.
Although religion has historically been used to excuse
intolerance and support discrimination based on inherent
characteristics such as sexual orientation, race, gender and
gender identity, many religious leaders embrace equality.
Reverend Meg Barnhouse, of the First Unitarian Universalist
Church, officiated at the ceremony in Austin, noting, “Marriage
is about love and commitment, and GLBT citizens want the same
rights to express their commitment to a life-partner that
heterosexual citizens enjoy.”
Jessica Smith, an attendee of the Odessa event, noted the absence
of many supporters because of biases like that of Amanda
Callender, “Midland/Odessa is pretty close to the Bible belt.
It’s not accepted at all. People such as law enforcement,
oilfield workers, teachers, they can't be here because if they
were recognized, they would lose their jobs and be
condemned.”
Across Texas, over 30 couples exchanged wedding vows.
Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 people rallied in support. According
to organizer’s estimates, Corpus Christi had the largest turnout
with approximately 400 in attendance. “This is the beginning of a
new era for LGBT people,” stated Michael Diviesti, one of the
State Leads for GetEQUAL TX. “We are no longer content sitting
idly by as our politicians open our rights up for political
debate. We will no longer allow the scraps thrown at us by our
representatives from their banquet tables to silence us while we
simply wait for more.”
Daniel Cates, one of the GetEQUAL TX organizers of the Dallas
event added, “If they know you will wait, they will make you
wait. If they know you will compromise, they will make you
compromise. If they know you have lowered expectations, they will
offer you as little as possible.”
The Coming Out for Marriage Equality events marked the first in a
series of events being called for by GetEQUAL TX to highlight
social injustice and demand equal access and protection for all.
The next event in San Antonio will take place on November 20th.
According to GetEQUAL TX’s event announcement, “We are past the
11th hour, and for many members of our community it is too late.
We will be holding a 13 hour long vigil from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00
a.m. at City Hall beginning November 20th and ending November
21st. Come for an hour, or stay all night.” The vigil is in honor
of Transgender Day of Remembrance to provide visibility to the
crimes and injustices faced by our transgender brothers and
sisters.
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