History in the making

Is same-sex marriage headed to Texas? Legislators file bills to pave the way but roadblocks ahead

If Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) gets his way, then same-sex couples could legally marry in Texas starting Jan. 1, 2014. Burnam sponsored House Bill 1300 on Feb. 14.

Burnam told the Associated Press that he "filed the measure as a Valentine's Day gift to all Texans."

The bill faces a number of hurdles. Even if it passes the house, the 2005 state constitutional amendment that defined marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman would need to be repealed before the new law could go into effect.

The bill takes aim at the Texas Family Code, repealing some sections and amending others to use gender-neutral language ("spouse" versus "husband" and "wife").

The bill would also grant same-sex couples the same legal and economic rights as all married couples.

This is the fifth piece of legislation on same-sex marriage in the Texas House this session. Senators Jose Rodriguez and Chuy Hinojosa as well as representatives Rafael Anchia and Garnet Coleman have also filed resolutions challenging the Texas amendment that defined marriage as exclusively between a man and woman.

The Illinois State senate approved same-sex marriage on Feb. 14. If the bill passes, Illinois will join nine other states that have already extended marriage rights to all people.

If the bill passes, then same-sex couples could legally marry in Texas starting January 1, 2014.

Wedlok.com

If the bill passes, then same-sex couples could legally marry in Texas starting January 1, 2014.

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Austin restaurant chain bowls over River Oaks and more popular stories

Photo by Becca Wright

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Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant openings and a major acquisition for MFAH. Plus, where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Houston. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then visit this guide to the best Christmas weekend events.

1. Meet the men behind River Oaks' new destination for bowls and broth. On this episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Honest Mary’s founder Nelson Monteith and COO Andrew Wiseheart joined CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss the Austin-based restaurant that just opened its first Houston location in the River Oaks Shopping Center.

2. Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire. It didn’t take Sambrooks Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opened December 22.

3. 25 Houston restaurants celebrating New Year's Eve with caviar, bubbles, and more. Houston restaurants are ringing in the new year with indulgent menus featuring caviar, lobster, and steak, along with plenty of bubbly.

4. Houston museum acquires historic Masonic lodge property for new greenspace. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has acquired a prime parcel to expand its campus in the Museum District.

Holland Lodge masonic building The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook

5. Houston's richest residents, best suburbs, and more top city news in 2025. As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at the stories that defined Houston this year. These are the City Life stories that captured Houston's attention.