Texas governor signs defense of marriage act

Same-sex marriages cannot be recognized in Texas under legislation that Gov. Rick Perry signed Tuesday. With the new law, labeled the Defense of Marriage Act by its supporters, Texas will be prevented from legally recognizing same-sex unions that are formed in other states, including civil unions. Texas law already prohibits recognition of same-sex marriage. Perry signed the measure in a private meeting in his Capitol office with backers of the bill. "Like the vast majority of Texans, I believe that marriage represents a sacred union between a man and a woman," Perry said in a prepared statement afterward. "With passage of the Defense of Marriage Act, Texas now joins more than 30 states in reinforcing that basic belief." The bill was authored by Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) and sponsored by Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa). The Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas fought against the law, saying it represents an agenda of intolerance and oppression.