ResolutionforMarriageEquality WHEREAS,theU.S.SupremeCourthasruledthatmarriageisakey rightoftheAmericanpeopleandinCareyv.PopulationServicesInternational(1977): [I]tisclearthatamongthedecisionsthatanindividualmaymakewithoutunjustified governmentinterferencearepersonaldecisionsrelatingtomarriage,procreation, contraception,familyrelationships,andchildrearingandeducation.;and WHEREAS,theSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStatesdeniedHollingsworthv.Perry(2013)based onstanding,andineffect,upheldtheFederalCourtsdecisionthatCaliforniasProposition8,which revokedmarriagerightsfromsamesexcouples,violatestheU.S.Constitution;and WHEREAS,FederalCourtsinMassachusetts,California,NewYork,and ConnecticuthaveruledthattheDefenseofMarriageAct(DOMA)isunconstitutional;and WHEREAS,inUnitedStatesv.Windsor(2013),theSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStateshas ruledSection3ofDOMAisunconstitutionalasadeprivationofthelibertyofthepersonprotectedby theFifthAmendmentoftheConstitutionthroughwritinginequalityintotheentireUnitedStates Code.

";and WHEREAS,marriagesthataredeemedlegallyvalidbythefederalandstate governmentsprovidethemarriedcouplewithmorethan1,138federalrights, privileges,economicadvantagesandlegalprotections,includingbutnotlimitedto:survivingspouse benefits,medicalinsurancecoverage,jointparentingrights,andtaxbenefits;and WHEREAS,theObamaadministrationannouncedonFebruary23,2011, thattheU.S.JusticeDepartmentwouldnolongerdefendDOMA'sdenialof federalrecognitiontomarriedsamesexcouplesinfederalcourt;and WHEREAS,Massachusetts,Connecticut,Iowa,Vermont,theDistrictof Columbia,NewHampshire,NewYork,Washington,Maryland,Maine,RhodeIsland, Delaware,Minnesota,andCaliforniahavenowlegalizedmarriageforsamesexcouples;and

WHEREAS,theTexasConstitutionBillofRightsinArticleI,Section3 states"allfreemen,whentheyformasocialcompact,haveequalrights,andno man,orsetofmen,isentitledtoexclusiveseparatepublicemoluments,or privileges,butinconsiderationofpublicservices";and WHEREAS,theStateofTexasadoptionofastateConstitutional amendmentlimitingmarriageandcivilunionstoonemanandonewomanis inconsistentwiththeCityofDentonscommitmenttoequalrightsand opportunitiesforitsresidentsandemployees;and WHEREAS,wewishtojointheCityCouncilofAustininshowingadmirableleadershipthrough

promotingequalityofallofitscitizens,byendorsingmarriageequality; WHEREAS,theCityofDentonproudlyembracesthediversityofallits residentsandstrivestobeafirstclasscityandmodelfortheMetroplex,State,andNation;and WHEREAS,theCityhasadoptedanemploymentnondiscriminationpolicytoprotect theinalienablerightsofeachindividual,withoutregardtorace,color, creed,religion,sex,nationalorigin,disability,studentstatus,maritalstatus, familialstatus,sexualorientation,genderidentity,orage;and WHEREAS,marriageisapowerfulandimportantaffirmationofloveand commitmentthatcreatesstabilityinarelationship;asourceofsocialsupport,andwithoutbeing declaredlegallyvalid,thespousesofsamesexmarriagescannotreceivetheserights,privileges, advantagesandprotections;and;NOW,THEREFORE, BEITRESOLVEDBYTHECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFDENTON: ThatwesupportmarriageequalityintheStateofTexas.