Farouk For Governor

Farouk Shami in his 2010 campaign openly supported gay marriage. During his campaign, Mr.Shami proposed that the ban on same sex marriage ought to be repealed. He went even went further and said that gay and lesbian couples should have the right to hold civil unions amongst other rights that are shared by heterosexual couples.

Farouk also proposed laws that would seek to end discrimination of homosexuals in insurance, public education and employment. Here are some of the stands that Farouk Shami took on this issue, during the campaign.

Equality for Couples

Mr. Shami proposed the repeal of the Defense Marriage Act and proposed allowing of civil unions. He believed that gay couples should receive the same amount of protection and privileges that heterosexuals enjoy.

No Discrimination in Employment

Farouk proposed legislation that was to be aimed at prohibiting employment discrimination using gender identity, sexual orientation or expression as a basis. Mr. Shami was passionate about formulating legislation that was aimed at employers who refused or failed to hire on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation or expression. In addition to applying to private employers, this law would also apply to public officials and labor organizations.

Non-Discriminatory Insurance Practices

Farouk Shami also proposed a law that would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against individuals who had undergone transition treatments. The gubernatorial candidate proposed a law that would allow Texas government and public institutions such as, public school districts, universities, municipalities and any other governmental entities to offer domestic partner benefits for same sex couples.

For instance, at the time of the campaign, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas,  did not offer benefits for same sex partners since the institutions’ governing bodies understood the law prohibited them from doing so. Had Farouk’s plan worked the two institutions in addition to other public entities, would have been able to offer benefits to same sex couples. Also, had the law been passed, no government body would have been obligated to adopt unique referenda or ordinances, so as to offer same sex domestic partner benefits.

All in all Mr.Shami believed that the equality of all, would lead to a better society in Texas, a fact that he affirmed more than once. However, despite his strong beliefs, there are those that believe that Mr. Shami’s religion did not quite resonate with the message that he preached.