Breaking news:
Federal judge voids Texas' gay marriage ban, though he delays order from taking effect immediatelyYes -- and Abbott, who's sure to be the Republican candidate for governor, has already announced that he's appealing the ruling. Abbott has also said it's illegal under state law for local governments in Texas to offer domestic partner benefits, or to legally recognize same-sex marriages from other states; he's used the power of his office to fight localities on these issues.
A federal judge in San Antonio ruled Wednesday that Texas' ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutionally deprives some citizens of due process and equal protection under the law by stigmatizing their relationships and treating them differently from opposite-sex couples....
Although [U.S. District Judge Orlando] Garcia issued a preliminary injunction against the state’s enforcing its 2003 law and 2005 constitutional amendment that limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, he stayed it from taking effect until his ruling can be reviewed on appeal.
Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor, is almost certain to appeal....
Wendy Davis, who's expected to win the Democratic primary, supports gay marriage.
Texas polls on this issue aren't very encouraging. A Public Policy Polling survey from last July (PDF) found that only 34% of Texans favor legalizing same-sex marriage -- and gay marriage was opposed by blacks 65%-14% and by Hispanics 56%-32% in the PPP survey. A Texas Tribune/University of Texas poll in July found 40% support for legal gay marriage; a better result came in a January 2013 survey conducted for the Equality Texas Foundation: 47.9% supported marriage rights, 47.5% didn't.
I have to assume the real number is in the middle of that range, which means Texans are still not all that close to acceptance.
So does that mean Abbott's going to pound this issue from here till November? And how will that work out? Or will the national party tell him to dial it down? Well, it's Texas. I've got to assume that dialing it down will not be an option.
