An editorial titled, “It’s Not Bigotry, It’s Biology! Just Ask Greg Abbott”, was published recently by The Burnt Orange report in criticism of not only Abbott’s stance on same-sex marriage, but his reasoning behind it as well. The Texas gubernatorial candidate filed a brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last Friday attempting to defend Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage, which was struck down earlier this year. Abbott’s argument for this action was that a ban on same-sex marriage would encourage heterosexual marriages and yield more in-wedlock births, “which are needed to ensure economic growth and survival of the human race” (Abbott). The author of the editorial denounces Abbott’s reasoning as a thinly-veiled attempt at bigotry rather than concern for the future of the state.
The author likely writes to an audience of people who are in support of same-sex marriage, as she uses a sarcastic tone when speaking of opponents to marriage equality. She inserts quotations from Abbott into the article and adds flippant commentary after them that belittles the argument Abbott is trying to make. This technique makes her article resonate well with an audience who is already opposed to Abbott and the ban on same-sex marriage, and will agree that his logic is flawed and absurd.
While the author presents her criticism using a highly irreverent tone, she supports her argument credibly by citing multiple other articles and sources, and incorporating numerous quotations. When she references a ludicrous belief held by Abbott, she includes a quotation in which Abbott actually states that belief. This shows that she is not making inferences or exaggerations about Abbott’s bigotry, but that he actually made the arguments she is criticizing.
The central purpose of the editorial is to point out Greg Abbott’s seemingly anti-gay stance and the fact that he is backing it with faulty logic. According to his brief, Abbott believes that Texas’ marriage laws uphold traditional marriages as more important, and that this encourages more heterosexual couples to get married and procreate. “Recognizing same-sex marriage”, says Abbott, “does not advance this interest because same-sex unions do not result in pregnancy.” The author retorts this idea by saying that the Texas Constitution is not what inspires people to get married, and that nobody places any more importance on heterosexual procreation simply because we have “a nine-year-old constitutional amendment that makes [marriage] an exclusive club.” She adds that the banning of same-sex marriage will not reduce out-of-wedlock births, rather it will be comprehensive sex education and improved family planning services that accomplishes this.
I personally agree with the author of this article. I believe there are many statistics to dispute Abbott’s logic on this issue, and there are countless alternative ways to reduce unplanned pregnancies other than banning same-sex marriage. From the arguments presented in this editorial, I feel it is obvious that Greg Abbott’s opposition to same-sex marriage stems from his personal values, not his interest in the economy or concern for our future as humankind. I feel it is apparent that he uses reasoning that makes little sense, and is not focusing on more important issues. Overall, I think this article is an informative read for anybody interested in marriage equality or even just human rights in general.
(Source: Genevieve Cato, "It's Not Bigotry, It's Biology! Just Ask Greg Abbott", Burnt Orange Report, 10-14-2014.)
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