The Texas Republican Party
June 28, 2012 2 Comments
God love ‘em– they are like the unfiltered if of modern Republicanism. Buzzfeed pulled this from the 2012 party platform:
Homosexuality ― We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle, in public policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.
About Steve Greene
I find the part where they reject teaching kid critical thinking interesting. Yeah, they don’t want those kids thinking for themselves rather taking everything they’re told on faith. I’m surprised that religion was not included in their reason for rejecting it.
From an article in TexasVoice.com, which deems itself the Premier Media Source for LGBT Texas, with the title: “Texas Party Platforms Evolve on LGBT Issues,” this about the 2012 Texas Republican Party platform:
“I think it’s progress,” Metroplex Republicans President Rob Schlein said of the changes to the GOP platform. “Had there been more time to address the convention, we might have been able to get rid of more of it.”
But Chris Elam, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas, suggested the changes weren’t intended to reach out to LGBT Republicans, but rather to make an “unwieldy” platform more concise.
“Sometimes less is more,” Elam said, adding that reaching out to LGBT Republicans is “not what I read the platform as saying.”
Elam then quoted one of the anti-gay passages that remains in the Texas GOP platform.
“We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit,” Elam said.
Gone from the new GOP platform is opposition to the legalization of sodomy that appeared in 2010. Also missing from this year’s platform is the call to make it a felony to issue a marriage license or for a civil official to perform a same-sex wedding in Texas.[emphasis added]
“Some people are going to hang on to what’s there,” Schlein said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
The basic position of the Texas Republican Party on homosexuality goes back to at least 1998.