Bill Would Allow Same-Sex Parents on Birth Certificates
Andy Miller and Brian Stephens fell in love 12 years ago while they were training for a marathon on the trails around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. As they began talking about starting a family, they knew of only one same-sex couple who had successfully adopted.
“There weren’t a lot of role models,” Miller said.
Miller and Stephens adopted their son, Clark, days after he was born in 2007. But on Clark’s birth certificate, only Miller’s name appears under “father.” “Mother” remains noticeably blank — and Stephens’ name is nowhere to be found.
Texas law prevents gay ...
Comments (52)
Dale Curry
Any person, committed to equality and fairness, recognizes this law is nothing more than a deeply discriminatory law which is designed to bully and isolate the children of gay and lesbian parents.Rafael Anchia, Will Hartnett, and the group Texas Values have institutionalized bullying at the State Government.
Steve Byers via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Make it so! This have been the law to begin with.
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It is about damn time.
Richard Farias via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If by "self-serving" the opponents mean that it allows gay and lesbian parents to demonstrate officially their love for the child they have decided to love and raise together, then call it what it really is: family-focused and driven by love. I know many straight and many gay parents who have lovingly adopted children, and they are equally caring and loving, so they deserve EQUAL treatment.
Blaze Wynndham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Great idea and one that is long overdue. It does not attack anyone.
Judy Burns via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Long overdue. The current practices are depriving children of homes, since some gay families that might adopt or foster do not apply because they won't tolerate the hypocrisy.
Kelly Haynes via Texas Tribune on Facebook
How on earth does allowing someone you don't know put their names on a document that has absolutely nothing to do with you constitute an attack?!
Mac Mcclure via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Divide and conquer
Januari Leo via Texas Tribune on Facebook
As a heterosexual mom, I do not feel "attacked" by the idea of same sex parents wanting both their names on their child's birth certificate. I'll be leading the team for Equality Texas' lobby day that will be addressing this issue on March 11th. I'd love to have you join our team, sign up today!
Judy Raddue via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A vote passing this bill is a vote in support of children and their parents.
Nancy Lauritsen via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I hope it passes!
Jim Hsu via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"Attack" on heterosexual parents....hmm. Seems like the heterosexual parents quoted are too fragile and emo for 2013. But their weaknesses should not serve as reason to limit others' rights. Talk about "self-serving" complaints by them too.
Mark Hiebert via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Parents are parents, whether they're mom and dad, mom and mom, or dad and dad. If our legislators believe in the core values of our United Sates, then the bill will pass. Here's to the hope that those men and women in Austin do the right thing and make this pass!
Cynthia L Spanhel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
hmmm..probably, it was heterosexual parents who relinquished parental rights...
Kelly Fristoe via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm heterosexual and feel no attack by it whatsoever. I'm more concerned about the other issue addressing the reason for it, "which would clear up confusion and embarrassment for children." How is a child ever less confused being raised by gay or lesbian parents when they look around at other kids that are being raised by a mom and a dad. I can see the child thinking to him/herself, "hmmmm, which one of you gave birth to me?" And then there will be the adoption discussion. "Oh, I'm adopted, so neither one of you gave birth to me then? I've got a mom out there somewhere? And more and more confusion and questions will follow. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate a couple who is willing to pour their love into these children. I just don't think the premise of clearing up confusion for the child is valid.
Dianna Pharr via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wonderful change!
Andres Madrid via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Simba, from the Lion King, was raised by two man!!! He did just fine!
Duane Florschuetz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
For the sake of the child!
Taylor Flores via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Pass the Bill
Matt Taylor
This article has been linked on thejavelina.com
Barbara Peyton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I say, quit fighting change... show a little love.... pass the bill. What happens if the wrong parent takes a child to the emergency room, and the hospital won't accept her/his signature for permission?
John Lyon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm trying to determine from which direction the attack on my wife and I is coming.
audrey fisher
The legislative number is HB201.
This legislation is not an attack of anyone and needs to be approved and allow for couples to update their child's birth certificate.
It is somewhat ironic that some states want to know the "sperm donor" for the sole reason of child support and here is legislation that would allow for the same type of information, aka knowing both responsible parties and yet are saying No to this, really?
Time for the reader's to contact that legislator and tell them that this is improved transparency.- that those in Austin are saying should be improved. And then turn around and say the exact opposite.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Paul Martinez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Report real news.
Lisa Kleinman Saslavsky via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Jonathan Saenz' twisted argument against this bill is that he feels the Texas gay community is asking for "special treatment because of their difference in lifestyle." So far from reality, they are asking for EQUAL treatment!
Kathleen Painter via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Once again I believe the Texas Tribune is using another word ("attack") to stoke the fires that divide folks.
Nangel Hofmann via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Whoa!Texas is finally trying to distance itself from the most moronic states and pull away from the Dumbshit Abyss!
Terry Bradley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Pass it. Equal protection under the law.
Tom Erickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A big step forward for equal rights.
Eyra-Skeeter Arsiaga via Texas Tribune on Facebook
well is a hard ????? But i also know that thanx to gay fathers kids have a chance to have a life. We as women are the only ones that can give life but also many of us decide that they dnt want their kids so really they are taking that responsability those womwn dnt want, I know s sad but hey if they want to doit then Go for it that way at least this poor kids will have some love so Yes i think they should.
Louann Wright via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Love is love, pass it!!!
jay tatum
From what i learned in school it takes two, 1 man and 1 woman to create a child. If the birth cert requires a man and a womans name on it then there should be a man and a womans name on it. Later in life of the child wouldnt look stupid to show two peoples names that were the same sex. Hey,, i dont have a mother, I have two Dads. I guess we need to change the Bible to there were two Adams or two Eves in the garden next.
Becky Barnes Hopson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Support this bill. It's a pro family stance.
R J
"Birth Certificate" should be limited to actual facts of birth. All the problems they complain about can be resolved with a certificate of Adoption. No need to change the "birth certificate". This is a completely unwarranted demand for "special exception" by gay parents.
Angélica Aguilar Rodríguez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Support
R J
Everyone knows two people of the same sex cannot produce a baby. Why make up some fiction on a "birth certificate"? The child was not born of those two people. The child may have been adopted by two people which is provided by law. So address the problem by an adoption certificate. No special treatment needed to revise the "birth" certificate.
Bill Bush via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's time the legislation caught up to the reality. Support and make it so.
Bruce Wetmore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Support this all the way
Antonia Zabel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
SUPPORT.
Kay Golden Eissler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
They want to fight abortion and now when a child is adopted they don't put both parents name on the birth certificate, Texas legislators are wrong!
gypsy314 ne
I suggest gays and liberals move too California or some blue state were they will fit right in. I for one do not want my family around the sickness of gays. I will say I hope they seek out mental help and receive help.
Roger Chan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Seeing how badly contemporary legislators seem to be struggling so much with whether they are in office to serve themselves or whether they are there to serve the people, they clearly need to stay out of our homes, our private lives and our relationships. The government needs to reallocate their attention and resources to focus on keeping our streets, our neighborhoods, our communities and our country safe, viable and healthy.
Mark Facklam via Texas Tribune on Facebook
fair is fair and right is right.
bj ross
adoption papers is what they might do, the birth certificate is a factual certificate of the birth, not to be changed at will.
KarenPage
<< “It’s a cultural shift and a big issue,” [Rep. Lois] Kolkhorst [R-Brenham] said, adding, “You never want to throw a bill out there that just cuts the membership up.” >>
OH NO... we can't cut the membership up... far bigger priority than actually doing what Texans need.
*SMH*
Jacquelynn Mumm White via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This needs to happen. I know plenty of LBGT parents that are just amazing and deserve everything straight couples have.
Mark Denman via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I wonder what the rent/mortgage is on the home shown in the photo.
Elizabeth Hart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's already been said, but it's about the unwanted, ill-planned kids & doing what is right for them. Put two parents/legal guardians on the amended birth certificate.
Toni Mikel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Support
Tim Reilly via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We've evolved, even dinosaur's like me, it's time for people to accept lifestyle's period. In this case who really gets screwed, it's the innocent Child. I hope the bill is passed.
Rocki Holder via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Support this!!!!!
Anya Khan
It takes a mother and father to create a child, it takes loving parent(s) to raise the child