ResolutionforMarriageEquality WHEREAS,theU.S.SupremeCourthasruledthatmarriageisakey rightoftheAmericanpeopleandinCareyv.PopulationServicesInternational(1977): [I]tisclearthatamongthedecisionsthatanindividualmaymakewithoutunjustified governmentinterferencearepersonaldecisionsrelatingtomarriage,procreation, contraception,familyrelationships,andchildrearingandeducation.;and WHEREAS,federalcourtshaveruledthatCalifornia'sProposition8,which revokedmarriagerightsfromsamesexcouples,violatestheU.S.Constitution;and WHEREAS,federalcourtsinMassachusetts,California,NewYork,and ConnecticuthaveruledthattheDefenseofMarriageAct(DOMA)isunconstitutional;and WHEREAS,marriagesthataredeemedlegallyvalidbythefederalandstate governmentsprovidethemarriedcouplewithmorethan1,138federalrights, privileges,economicadvantagesandlegalprotections;and WHEREAS,theObamaadministrationannouncedonFebruary23,2011 thattheU.S.

JusticeDepartmentwouldnolongerdefendDOMA'sdenialof federalrecognitiontomarriedsamesexcouplesinfederalcourt;and WHEREAS,Massachusetts,Connecticut,Iowa,Vermont,theDistrictof Columbia,NewHampshire,NewYork,Washington,Maryland,Maine,RhodeIsland, Delaware,andMinnesotahavenowlegalizedmarriageforsamesexcouples;and WHEREAS,theTexasConstitutionBillofRightsinArticleI,Section3 states"allfreemen,whentheyformasocialcompact,haveequalrights,andno man,orsetofmen,isentitledtoexclusiveseparatepublicemoluments,or privileges,butinconsiderationofpublicservices";and WHEREAS,theStateofTexasadoptionofastateConstitutional amendmentlimitingmarriageandcivilunionstoonemanandonewomanis

inconsistentwiththeCityofDentonscommitmenttoequalrightsand opportunitiesforitsresidentsandemployees;and WHEREAS,theCityofDentonproudlyembracesthediversityofallits residentsandstrivestobeafirstclasscityandmodelfortheMetroplex;and WHEREAS,theCityhasadoptedanondiscriminationpolicytoprotect theinalienablerightsofeachindividual,withoutregardtorace,color, creed,religion,sex,nationalorigin,disability,studentstatus,maritalstatus, familialstatus,sexualorientation,genderidentity,orage;and WHEREAS,marriageisapowerfulandimportantaffirmationofloveand commitment;asourceofsocialsupport,andwithoutbeingdeclaredlegallyvalid, thespousesofsamesexmarriagescannotreceivetheserights,privileges,advantages andprotections;and;NOW,THEREFORE, BEITRESOLVEDBYTHECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFDENTON: ThatwesupportmarriageequalityintheStateofTexas.