Texas may strip away transgender marriage rights
By JIM VERTUNO Associated Press
April 25, 2011
Two Republicans want to bar transgendered people from using proof of their sex change to get a Texas marriage license.
Texas only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. If the legislation passes, county and district clerks will have to rely on a 1999 appeals court ruling that says a person's sex is established at birth and cannot be changed.
Advocates for the transgendered say the move would effectively bar them from marrying and could put currently legal marriages at risk.
Sen. Tommy Williams of Houston says the law should conform to the state Constitution that bars same-sex marriage.
Rep. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham wrote the 2009 law that allowed the sex-change documentation. She did not immediately respond to messages asking why she wants to change the law.
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