Update: It is now midnight, the witnesses are still lined up.
I'm still paying attention to the State Affairs committee. It's 9:15. I'll post some updates in this entry and in the 'continue reading' section.

I pay attention to these hearings with a great deal of political cynicism. But you cannot sit in this room and not be moved by some of the emotional testimony here. Brave and powerful.

Eric Scott Krusee, a 19 year old student at ACC, testified today with his mother and father speaking before him. His father and mother both gave loving and moving testimonies, but it was seeing a 19 year old brave enough to testify before state legislators that was incredible.

After Eric testified, his grandmother got up to speak. She had never spoken before a group before, she said. But she plowed ahead. Ericâ??s family is all here. His two little sisters aged 14 and 10 are here as well.

I felt this weird sting in my eyes and when I reached up it was a goddamn tear. Who wouldn't be moved to see a family standing shoulder to shoulder in support and love for their son.

If the Resolution makes it out of committee, it will pass on the floor and Perry will sign it. No doubt. But, sitting in this room I have seen nothing but love and power and passion.

These are the things of which revolutions are made. Hate does not spark revolution. Make no mistake, this resolution is about hate and discrimination, not about strengthening families.

Some SERIOUS homo just walked in wearing silky shorts and a tank top.

The room suddenly filled up with gay youth around 7:45. And in Austin when you say gay youth you mean SCARY gay youth. Thugs that I would be terrified to meet on the street. Where did all the fuckable people go? Some of the lesbians were hot, some of homos were hot. Hell, there was one hot grandma here earlier. If there were serving drinks this would be hot. In a good way, not in the way that the friggin air conditioning doesn work in this room way.

Rep. Dan Gattis is making his attendance on the committee known for the first time at 9:30 tonight.

Chairman notes that 162 people are left to testify. 378 affirmations filed that do not wish to testify. He says, if you can multiply how much time each person is taking with their testimony. Well, that's what you get when you take up a bill people are passionate about.

For one of the few times every seat except Jim Keffer's is filled.

Damn! This woman testifying just slammed Rep. Gattis. The burden of proof is on him, not the people testifying to prove that this bill declines rights for gays and lesbians.

Oops, the next fella is speaking directly to Gattis right now. Can't tell if he's flirting with him or not.

Oh, he's making a good point. This witness. He discusses the over 1,000 legal rights granted by the government in a legally binding marriage. There is no private contract you can sign to prevent you from being compelled to testify against your 'domestic partner'. He's right. He also discusses activist judges.

9:49 Get OUT! Keffer just strolled in. The gang's all here folks.

Oh wow, this woman is an executive at Hewlett-Packard. She used to work in the House. She's going to introduce some points that have not been raised in the 8 + hours of testimony. She recalls when Apple almost pulled out of Texas over domestic partner benefits.

She's discussing the economic benefits. This is important.

Dr. Hillary Miller is now testifying before the committee. She's a family practitioner. Living in Austin.

What are the economic issues. Randall Ellis of the LGRL says there are 43,000 same-sex households in Texas ranking it in the top 5 of 50 states.

The Lesbians are really opposed to this.

Now an independent filmaker is testifying. He is making a documentary on the subject.

Hmm. Rob Keffer is testifying. Funny...his father has stepped out of the committee room. Jeff is gay. He is opposed to HJR 6

Rep. Keffer loves his gay son. Awesome.

Lydia is a heterosexual retired biochemist. She says that she is one of those heterosexuals whose marraige ended in divorce. She gets a laugh when she says that homosexuals had nothing to do with her divorce. Her husband and her had a problem! haha

Tobias testifies that he is CEO of a small business employing 52 people and brings in 14 million to the state. He says this is an anti-business bill. He's right.

Employers with over 50 employees may offer a domestic partner benefit to their employees. Many companies do. This resolution may negate that offering. That would hurt businesses from entering and doing business in Texas. If they are headquartered in other states, they offer the benefit. Rules are, if you offer it one state, you gotta offer it in all states where you have employees.

Chairman Swinford is exhausted, but he is doing a great job. We'll give him some props for that.

10:53 folks and the room is STILL full.

11:34: Baptist preacher, I think. She's giving her 'testimony' now. She talked about the Bible story of the good samaritan. Good move.
Bombshell...is coming. She is a lesbian. And a minister.

FARRAR at 11:55 Smacks Down Sid Miller. When he admonished a 23 year old testifying to hurry it up. She thanks the witness and tells the committe and the room that the legislature has brought this upon themselves. She says it wasn't a bill she wanted to see.

Sid Miller is TIRED. He's standing now. He's had enough. Me too. YIKES.

Ok. I am all gayed out. I'll update with the result. I've got another post non gay related. 12:08 a.m.