American politics is SO WEIRD.

[baratron]

Rumour has it that Texas just managed to outlaw marriage. I'm amused.

It's also been pointed out that "To apply (b) you need to use the definition in (a). Thus the state cannot create or recognize a legal status involving the union of one man and one woman. But it could still recognize other kinds of unions, eg same sex unions and unions involving more than 2 persons." TAKE THAT, conservatives!

Update: Further commentary on the journal post I linked to points out that the fact the bill as worded outlawed ALL marriages was actually known before it went to the ballot and formed a significant part of the opposition to it! WTF?!

In other news, the Kansas Board of Education has officially redefined 'science' so they can push in "Inteliigent" Fucking Design. I could cry.

Closer to home - I'm wondering about the UK's civil partnership that's coming in next month. Is it identical to opposite-sex marriage in terms of the rights it conveys? I wouldn't have a clue where to start looking.

Comments

[hattifattener]

Nah. The actual language of the initiative is this:

Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 32 to read as follows:

1. Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.
2. This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

Civil unions would fall under "similar to marriage" (and marriage itself falls under "identical to marriage"), so they're both banned in Texas. Or more precisely, the state is forbidden from recognizing them.

playing Devil's Advocate, and IANAL

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Couldn't you argue that a union between two men was not "similar" to marriage, because it did not involve one man & one woman?

I'm absolutely certain you could argue that a group union between three men was definitely not "similar" to marriage :)