From marriage bans to campaign for president, LGBT advocates say Perry’s legacy is decidedly anti-gay, but would Abbott be much better?
STRONGLY HOMOPHOBIC | Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who announced he won’t seek another term this week, is shown in an anti-gay TV ad, ‘Strong,’ he filmed during his 2012 presidential campaign.
AUSTIN — When anti-gay Gov. Rick Perry announced this week he won’t seek re-election, LGBT advocates rejoiced, and attention turned to the political shakeup in statewide offices that could elevate more anti-gay Republicans.
Perry took over for George W. Bush in December 2000 after Bush was elected president. He’s the longest serving governor in Texas history and his current term expires at the end of 2014.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is expected to run for governor next year, while many Democrats hope state Sen. Wendy Davis makes a bid as well.
During his tenure, Perry was a vocal opponent of gay rights. In 2003, he signed the Texas Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the recognition of civil unions and same-sex marriages from out of state. Two years later, he championed Texas’ constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, holding a ceremonial signing at a Fort Worth church.
Perry listed his work against same-sex marriage among his accomplishments during his announcement this week in San Antonio.
“We have better protected the right to life for Texas children and families, protected the sanctity of marriage, and respected the traditional values that made Texas the greatest state in the greatest nation on earth,” Perry said. “We Texans are not afraid to fight for what we believe in.”
However, Perry did sign the James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act in 2001, which listed “sexual preference” not “sexual orientation” under the protected classes. He reportedly tried to derail the legislation in the Senate and ended up signing it under political pressure.
He made his opposition to LGBT rights a central focus of his 2012 campaign in the Republican presidential primary. He made no mention of a future presidential run this week.
Just prior to his presidential campaign, Perry keynoted The Response, a rally organized by an anti-gay hate group, the American Family Association, in Houston. And he later ran a widely panned TV ad in Iowa in which he criticized the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Long dogged by unsubstantiated rumors that he’s closeted, Perry also became the subject of an expose in 2012 by gay former state Rep. Glen Maxey, which detailed some of Perry’s alleged homosexual liaisons.
Daniel Williams, field organizer for the statewide group Equality Texas, said LGBT Texans will benefit from Perry leaving office.
“Rick Perry not being governor of Texas is nothing but good news for LGBT Texans and all Texans,” he said.
Williams said it’s still too early to tell if those who are vying to replace Perry will be as anti-gay, adding that Abbott is “certainly not an ally but has not been as overtly homophobic as Perry” over the years. He said Perry will be remembered for his anti-LGBT views.
“Perry will join the ranks of historical southern governors who have stood in the way of the advancement of individuals,” Williams said.
“History will not be kind.”
Omar Narvaez, president of Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, said Perry’s legacy will be a social agenda that was anti-gay, anti-women and anti-education.
“Perry’s legacy as far as LGBT issues go, he’ll go down in history as being one of the most anti-gay governors in the state of Texas,” he said.
Narvaez said he believes Perry’s heavy anti-gay focus in his presidential run hurt him and he hopes he doesn’t run for president again.
With Perry’s departure, a political domino affect has been set in motion. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has expressed interest in running for governor, but as of press time hadn’t made a formal announcement of his candidacy. If he runs, he is expected to be the Republican Party’s favorite. Dallas state Rep. Dan Branch has expressed interest in replacing Abbott. And Dallas Republican Rep. Stefani Carter announced her bid for the Texas Railroad Commission this week, which would open up two Dallas House seats.
Anti-gay Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst may be replaced with a more right-wing opponent. Houston Sen. Dan Patrick, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples have said they’ll challenge Dewhurst in the GOP primary.
Abbott’s record indicates he could be just as anti-gay or more so than Perry. He intervened to try to block two same-sex divorces, which are pending before the Texas Supreme Court. More recently, he issued a non-binding opinion earlier this year stating that domestic partner benefits offered by government agencies violate the state’s constitutional marriage amendment.
Rob Schlein, president of local gay GOP group Metroplex Republicans, said Abbott told him and his partner at an event a few years ago that he appreciated them and gay GOP members. He said his personal opinions on inclusion may have been clouded with his responsibility to uphold Texas’ anti-gay laws.
“That’s not to say he’s anti-gay or pro-gay, but I think he’s an inclusive politician,” he said.
Tom Pauken, former Texas Republican Party chairman, is also planning to run for governor. Schlein said Pauken spoke at a recent Metroplex meeting and seemed more focused on economic issues than social ones.
Rep. Branch also spoke to Dallas Log Cabin Republicans several years ago. Branch, who represents part of Oak Lawn, co-sponsored the 2005 marriage amendment and supported an effort to ban gay and lesbian foster parents.
“I suspect he’ll enforce the laws that are written and passed,” Schlein said of Branch. “I think we’ll have more of the same [Republican leadership in Texas] for some time in the future.”
Former Dallas City Councilwoman Angela Hunt said she hopes Branch will run for attorney general so someone else will replace him in his House district.
But while Hunt has been approached about running for several different offices outside of the city, she said she doesn’t have plans to announce any future runs.
While Democrats will have a tough fight for statewide offices next year, Narvaez said the right candidate could defeat Abbott for governor.
Many have speculated that Davis will run. Davis has been a strong LGBT ally in the state Senate and has shot to stardom with her marathon anti-abortion filibuster in June.
Davis has not commented on running for governor, telling media she’s thought of running for statewide office before but is focused on the current special session, which Perry called after her filibuster’s success. Her office did not respond to requests for comment.
Even if the Democrats can’t win governor in 2014, Narvaez said the two local House seats could go to Democrats if the turnout is good.
“People are starting to stand up and say these are not our stances on issues anymore,” he said. “I think we’re really going to see a shift in 2014.”
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 12, 2013.