Texas lawmakers pushing back against gay rights successes

AUSTIN — Socially conservative lawmakers are pushing back against marriage victories by gays and lesbians in federal court and moves by Dallas, Plano and other cities to broaden anti-discrimination measures.

Junior Republicans in the GOP-led Legislature have filed several bills that would blunt gay rights advances, such as one to strip the pay of any local official who issues a same-sex marriage license.

They also have introduced proposals to protect business owners if, based on their religious beliefs, they refuse to comply with local ordinances that bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

A leading social conservative activist said the bills are designed to uphold what she called traditional values and rebuff an overreach by gay rights supporters.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20150204-texas-lawmakers-pushing-back-against-gay-rights-successes.ece