Daily Toreador The
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015 VOLUME 89 ■ ISSUE 125
Texas issuing gay marriage licenses despite AG opinion AUSTIN (AP) — Many county clerks across Texas are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite instructions from the state attorney general that they could refuse to do so on religious grounds. And the ones still holding out say they largely are doing so for logistic — not religious — reasons. Counties in liberal areas began sanctioning same-sex weddings within hours of Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide. Other counties originally reported delaying to wait for updated paperwork or further state instructions. But many of those announced they would issue gay marriage licenses beginning Monday, including the state’s largest, Harris County. That about-face comes despite a weekend opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who wrote that county clerks “retain religious freedoms,” including any objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses.
Supreme Court will re-hear Texas affirmative action case WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it will dive back into the fight over the use of race in admissions at the University of Texas, a decision that presages tighter limits on affirmative action in higher education. The justices said they will hear for a second time the case of a white woman who was denied admission to the university’s flagship Austin campus. The conservative-leaning federal appeals court in New Orleans has twice upheld the university’s admissions process, including in a ruling last year that followed a Supreme Court order to reconsider the woman’s case. The case began in 2008 when Abigail Fisher, who is white, was denied admission to the University of Texas’s flagship Austin campus because she did not graduate in the top 10 percent of her high school class — the criterion for 75 percent of the school’s admissions. The university also passed her over for a position among the remaining 25 percent, which is reserved for special scholarships and people who meet a formula for personal achievement that includes race as a factor. Edward Blum, who helped engineer Fisher’s lawsuit, said he is encouraged by the court’s second look at the case. “The outcome of this case may bring our nation closer to the day when a student’s race and ethnicity is not a factor that a school may consider during the admissions process,” Blum said.
NBC cuts Trump business ties NEW YORK (AP) — NBC said Monday that it is ending its business relationship with mogul and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump because of comments he made about immigrants during the announcement of his campaign. NBC said it would no longer air the annual “Miss USA” and “Miss Universe” pageants, which had been a joint venture between the company and Trump. Trump has said he is no longer appearing in the television show “The Apprentice.” NBC said “Celebrity Apprentice” will continue to go on without him. “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values. Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump,” NBC said in the statement.
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Same-sex marriage ruling produces mixed reactions Tech Gay-Straight Alliance celebrates decision By MICHAEL CANTU Staff Writer
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled state bans on same-sex marriages unconstitutional. As of Friday morning, all states were required to allow same-sex couples a marriage license. Unsurprised at the ruling, the Texas Tech Gay-Straight Alliance celebrated a victory that brings more hope for the future. Controlling the voices of the oppressors is what the Supreme Court has ruled for while giving the less confident speakers a chance at fairness, Katie Miller, president of Tech GSA and a junior nutrition major from Dallas, said. “There’s too many people supporting (same-sex marriage),” Miller said. “It’s just the people that don’t support tend to be louder.” Through this ruling, all states are required to grant a marriage license to any couple that applies for one, whether they are of the same or opposite sex, according to a CNN article. This ruling lifts all bans
by any state that does not allow same-sex couples to wed. But in this ruling, there was more than just being able to marry a significant other, Braden Russell, a senior global studies major from Pampa, said. This now gives freedom to be able to live with the same luxuries as a traditional married couple would in the U.S. “It’s more like we are granted the same rights as heterosexual couples, that meaning we get to visit each other in the hospital,” he said, “like everything that a straight couple could do.” In that legitimacy, there is a real commitment to the institution, he said. Aside from that, there was also no legitimacy toward the arguments against same-sex marriage. Deeply rooted in religious belief, Tech GSA found there to be no political argument against same-sex marriage, Miller said. In hearing arguments, both public and private, it seemed the only backing anybody had for the ban was through religious rhetoric. GSA continued on Page 2 ➤➤
Texas government poised to fight court ruling By MICHAEL CANTU Staff Writer
After the Supreme Court’s ruling to lift states’ bans on same-sex marriage, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised he will protect the religious liberties of all Texas people. “As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans — including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman,” Abbott said in a statement. Through most parts of Texas, the issuing of same-sex marriage licenses is being put on hold, and in Lubbock, no applications are being considered as of Monday. According to the Lubbock County Clerk’s office, they are all still waiting on legal counsel in order to be given the go-ahead as to deny or grant any licenses. In his statement, Abbott was adamant the court ruling would impede religious liberties and contradict the First Amendment. The governor also cited the Pastor
Protection Act, a law that protects individuals and organizations from performing a marriage ceremony that violates their religious beliefs, according to Texas.gov. ABBOTT “The thing is, is that when you think about it just allowing people to marry a person, someone of the same sex doesn’t infringe on anybody’s religious belief,” Richard D. Rosen, professor at the Texas Tech School of Law, said. “They can continue to believe what they want. The only time that I can see a problem is if a person because of religious belief doesn’t want to cater a same-sex wedding or photograph a marriage because of their religious belief.” In the case of refusing to work a wedding in any way, there is also the likely consequence of being sued for discrimination, Rosen said. He said the only foreseeable scenario would be if a pastor were forced to officiate a same-sex marriage. TEXAS continued on Page 2 ➤➤
Texas art community remembers scupltor By MICHAEL CANTU Staff Writer
Contributing a great deal to the arts of Texas, world-renowned sculptor Jesus Moroles died June 15 in a car accident near Jarrell. Born in Corpus Christi on Sept. 22, 1950, Moroles studied at the University of North Texas where he received his fine arts degree, according to an ABC News article. In a career of close to 35 years, Moroles was able to gain worldwide success through his work with big granite structures and incorporating the surrounding environments to wherever his artwork lay. Moroles, who contributed two works to the Texas Tech public art collection and one to the Ranching Heritage Center, has many pieces all around the world, according to the Texas Cultural Trust. Working with granite, the artist had pieces in Italy, France, Egypt and many other countries, as well as pieces scattered all around the U.S. With his two pieces, Lapstrake Gateway and Square Spiral Arch, plus Windmill at the Ranching Heritage Center, Moroles had a
direct impact on the Tech com- biggest Tech has, it was through his munity, Emily Wilkinson, Tech work that the university was able to public art manager, said. Moroles expand its art collection, she said. felt honored to be included in the Being a big name in the art community, the Texas native was also Tech collection. “A lot of artists admire our collec- among the first Texas-born artists tion and like to try and be a part of to contribute to the collection. In it, or are really proud when they are acquiring his pieces, Tech was able a part of it,” Wilkinson said. “He is to gain more credibility as a serious definitely in that group that felt hon- collector of art. ored to be a part of our collection.” With his pieces being some of the SCULPTOR continued on Page 3 ➤➤
PHOTOS BY ZACKARY BRAME/The Daily Toreador
JESUS MOROLES, CREATOR of many different sculptures including Square Spiral Arch (above, left) and Lapstrake Gateway (above, right) located on the Texas Tech campus, died in a car accident June 15. Moroles’ artwork can be seen throughout Texas and the U.S.
Former baseball coach Kal Segrist dies Tech Athletics not planning to sell alcohol By JEREMY KRAKOSKY Staff Writer
Former Texas Tech baseball coach Kal Segrist died Friday at the age of 84. He coached the Red Raiders from 1968-1983 and racked up 317 victories, which is second all-time in school history. “We lost a good friend today and a great Red Raider,” coach Tim Tadlock said in a Tech Athletics news release. “We are going to miss Kal dearly. Please keep Kal’s family and his wife Becky in your prayers at this time.” Segrist coached at Tech after winning a national championship as a player at the University of Texas and playing for the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles, according to baseballreference.com. Former Tech baseball player Mike ADVERTISING: 806-742-3384
Gustafson said Segrist coached at Tech when there was almost nothing to work with. “When coach Segrist took over the program, they really didn’t have a bunch. Nothing compared to what they have SEGRIST today,” he said. “And there was Kal Segrist doing it by himself, all through that time.” After his coaching days as a Red Raider, Segrist was inducted in the Tech Hall of Honor and had his No. 24 jersey retired in 2010. He is one of two coaches to have their jerseys retired at Tech, according to Tech Athletics website. SEGRIST continued on Page 4 ➤➤
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at Jones AT&T Stadium concession stands By JARROD MILLER Staff Writer
Beer and wine lovers at the University of Texas at Austin may now rejoice. In a news release issued earlier this month, UT Athletics announced the university would begin selling beer and wine in all public and private areas during its home football games. This will make Texas the second university in the Big 12 Conference to sell alcohol in public areas at its football games, joining West Virginia University. For Texas Tech football, however, fans will have to continue to get their liquid confidence elsewhere. Senior Associate Athletics Director Robert Giovannetti
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said Tech Athletics has no plans to bring beer and wine into the public sections of Jones AT&T Stadium. “It is not currently in the plans,” Giovannetti said. “It will not happen this upcoming season at Jones Stadium.” If Tech fans do want alcohol sold throughout the stadium, they should be prepared to wait. Giovannetti said for a discussion on alcohol sales to take place, it would have to be first approved by the Tech president, followed by the Tech University System Board of Regents. After an approval from the administration, a lengthy process for planning and licensing would follow, Giovannetti said.
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