Texas conservatives hold controversial cake-cutting over gay marriage ban



(source: less Republican leaders in Austin joined members of the conservative coalition Texas Values to slice a ceremonaial cake on the 10th anniversary of the passage of the so-called Texas Marriage Amendment, which defined marriage as "one man and one woman" in Texas.(source: Texas Values Facebook page) Republican leaders in Austin joined members of the conservative coalition Texas Values to slice a ceremonaial cake on the 10th anniversary of the passage of the so-called Texas Marriage Amendment, which defined ... more Photo: Texas Values On Facebook Photo: Texas Values On Facebook Image 1 of / 104 Caption Close Texas conservatives hold controversial cake-cutting over gay marriage ban 1 / 104 Back to Gallery

Texas lawmakers joined conservative leaders at the Capitol for a controversial slice of symbolic wedding cake yesterday, in a 10th anniversary celebration of a constitutional amendment that defined Texas marriages as "the union of one man and one woman."

A Facebook post by conservative group Texas Values, announcing the celebration, drew hundreds of comments both praising and trashing the officials' symbolic ceremony.

"My home state's religious bigotry and god-approved hatred for their fellow man deeply saddens me," sad one Facebook commenter." It does you no harm when 2 people fall in love, regardless of their gender. You should spend more of your time cultivating love rather than hatred, nothing would better the world we ALL share more."

Texas is one of 13 U.S. states which only allow couples of opposite sexes to marry, even though last week two women were wed in Austin. Cutting yesterday's cake was State Rep. Cecil Bell, who proposed legislation that would withhold pay from government employees who conspire in the issuance of a same-sex marriage license, reported the Austin American-Statesman.

RELATED: "First Texas gay couple marries in Austin"

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick spoke at the event, calling on Christians to rally in the battle for exclusively traditional marriages in Texas

"It's a battle, but we will be victorious, because with God, who can be against us? We know how it all ends," Patrick said, according to the Statesman.

The state's marriage amendment passed in 2005, but not until November, making the celebration more of a symbolic anniversary than an actual one. In the past 10 years, federal judges have ruled state bans on homosexual marriage unconstitutional.

RELATED: "Texas AG: 'Legal chaos' if same-sex marriage not deemed void"

Supporters of the marriage ammendment say traditional family structures with one man and one woman are essential for healthy children, while opponents say the Fourteenth Ammendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits discrimination based on other people's opinions.

Check out our slideshow for a visual timeline of the marraige debate and controversies in Texas.