Congratulations to El Paso, Texas, where unmarried partners of both gay and straight city employees will be eligible for insurance benifits.  And congratulations to City Representatives Eddie Holguin, Rachel Quintana, and Suzie Byrd, members of PFAW Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network who made it happen.

Citizens spoke up on both sides of the debate, and, as usual, some right-wing lies made it into the debate, but the YEOs weren’t buying it.

“One of the gentleman compared homosexuality to pedophilia, and that is just false, and I am absolutely not going to stand for that,” said City Rep. Susie Byrd.

Lower Valley City Rep. Eddie Holguin said it is precisely because of his religious upbringing that he voted for the benefits.

“In that upbringing I have always been taught not to judge… And that’s why I have supported and do support treating everyone equally.”

He also commented on some of the criticism speakers have leveled against the proposal in the past several weeks. “Why do many of the hateful things that are said here come from people who call themselves Christian?”

Eastside City Rep. Rachel Quintana said before the debate, she was only 60 percent sure she favored the plan.

“I have gone (up) 40 percent to being 100 percent in favor of this today.”

Thanks to El Paso for taking a stand for equality!