Sarah Davis Becomes First Texas GOP Lawmaker To Support Gay Marriage

Texas State Rep. Sarah Davis
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State Rep. Sarah Davis is making history in the Lone Star State by becoming the first Republican lawmaker to publicly support same-sex marriage.

Davis refused to sign an anti-gay letter issued by her Republican colleagues last week, and made comments in an interview with the Texas Observer that amounted to an endorsement of the right of same-sex couples to marry.

“I just don’t agree with the sentiment of the letter,” Davis told the Observer in an interview published Thursday. “I don’t feel the need to pass legislation or vote for legislation that prohibits two adults who love each other to be able to be joined in a civil union or marriage. It does not affect my marriage.”

According to the Observer, that makes Davis a first in Texas history. Davis represents a district in an affluent area of Houston.

Same-sex marriage is not currently legal in Texas. Ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could result in the invalidation of Texas’ gay marriage ban, state lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation that could undermine such a ruling.

Davis has expressed support for civil unions in the past, and already has the endorsement of the LGBT rights groups Log Cabin Republicans and Equality Texas.

“I haven’t had an opportunity to vote, but I’ve spoken about the issue,” Davis told the Observer. “In situations where I’ve been asked, I’ve always stated my position, so I don’t think this is new ground that I’ve just staked out.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Good for her. Now, just switch parties and I bet she’ll like it even better.

  2. “I don’t feel the need to pass legislation or vote for legislation that prohibits two adults who love each other to be able to be joined in a civil union or marriage. It does not affect my marriage.”

    Bingo! The wall just keeps crumbling down, even in Texas. Maybe there’s hope for Tennessee and Kansas?

  3. Avatar for mh26 mh26 says:

    I’d say it actually strengthens marriages. Another family to share activities with, trade babysitting with. Another couple to double-date with.

    GOPers are sex-obsessed, as if that’s the only aspect of relationships.

  4. Texans don’t like to told what to do…the anti gaycrowd is on the wrong side…don’t
    tell Jebby ( let him stay on the wrong side)

  5. Sounds like another Republican with a gay family member. Like Rob Portman (but unlike Liz Cheney; actually, I hope there is no one else like Liz Cheney; I hope God terminated the model because of inherent design flaws).

    It seems unusual for a Republican to be able to think so clearly when there is an ideological stand to be taken. But however she comes to her conclusion, whether rationally or because of family ties, I applaud her getting it right and, more importantly, being willing to say so.

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