Rally Expected At State Capitol

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Hundreds of faith leaders are expected at the Texas Capitol to rally support for marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans.

Religious leaders from a variety of congregations will gather Tuesday to call for an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

While some will also then lobby legislators on several issues, most are united in support against Magnolia Republican Rep. Cecil Bell's "Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act."

Bell's bill would prohibit using taxpayer funds to license same-sex marriages and ban government employees from recognizing, granting or enforcing a same-sex marriage license.

The Texas Freedom Network advocacy group is sponsoring the event. Spokesman Dan Quinn said, "Real Texas values don't support discrimination."