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21 May, 2016 12:28

GOP policy statement implies most Texans are gay, advocacy group points out

GOP policy statement implies most Texans are gay, advocacy group points out

The Republican Party of Texas apparently claimed that most Texans are gay in a policy statement meant to argue that homosexuality is contrary to the Bible, an LGBT advocacy group pointed out.

The plank was adopted at the party’s convention this month and reads: "Homosexuality is a chosen behavior that is contrary to the fundamental unchanging truths that has been ordained by God in the Bible, recognized by our nations [sic] founders, and shared by the majority of Texans."

The group called Lone Star Q went on Twitter to start a “grammar debate” over the wording, which, thanks to the last comma, apparently implies that “homosexuality… is shared by the majority of Texans.”

In response, grammarians agreed that this would be a valid understanding of the phrase, also adding that there should be an apostrophe in “nations” and that by using "has been," the statement gives the impression that homosexuality has been ordained by God.

The state’s GOP, which has been campaigning against LGBT rights for decades, would not comment on the “debate.” The party platform states that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice rather than a natural state of a significant part of humanity and that it should be discouraged.

The party had grammar fails in the past. In 2005 it suggested a 22-word constitutional amendment that said: "This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage." The amendment aimed at banning same-sex civil unions effectively outlawed any kind of marriage in Texas, critics said.

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