This post was submitted by Jean Qiao, WCF Communications Fellow
When you think Texas, ‘progressive’ isn’t exactly the first word that pops into your head. My guess is that it probably won’t even appear on your brain’s radar unless associated with city Austin. With that being said, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, candidate for Attorney General, is bringing progressive back in Texas by battling the issue of gay divorce.
Radnofsky recently wrote a piece in the Huffington Post challenging current Attorney General Greg Abbott’s decision to block a divorce between two women who were married in Massachusetts. His reason? Texas does not recognize gay marriage; therefore both the couple’s marriage and their file for divorce are now invalid. However, it appears that Abbott has read the marriage laws incorrectly in Texas. Radnofsky writes:
“‘The law of this state applies to persons married elsewhere who are domiciled in this state’. Texas Family Code Section 1.103. So, the law of Texas clearly applies Texas law to ‘persons married elsewhere’. Gay people are persons. Texas law would apply to any Texas domiciliaries seeking a divorce. The language is clear. This Texas law doesn’t apply to ‘marriages;’ rather it applies to ‘persons’”.
Gay people are people, too. ( What a shocker). Kudos to Radnofsky for stating the truth in this situation.
In addition, Radnofsky accuses Abbott of poorly utilizing his time and efforts on this non-issue:
“The Attorney General of our State thinks government intervention in the non-violent, orderly wind-down of a relationship is the best use of our State’s and his resources. He should leave divorce orders alone, and get back to work on the real problems facing our State, and our children”.
The rest of her piece can be found here.
Clearly Radnofsky isn’t afraid to speak her mind on progressive issues that many candidates, especially those from conservative states, shy away from. Her strong voice in standing up for women and minorities is exactly what Texas needs right now in their Attorney General.
Radnofsky’s primary election was yesterday, and she was running uncontested. Learn more about her today and make sure she secures a victory this November!
