In a surprise Valentine’s Day move for LGBT Texans, State Rep. Lon Burnam introduced a bill yesterday that would legalize marriage equality in the state. 

The Dallas Voice reports that State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) filed HB 1300 on the morning of Feb. 14. The bill would not only remove provisions in the Texas Family Code from 2003 denying same-sex couples the ability to marry in the state, but also allow Texas to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, according to the publication.

“Marriage has been the greatest and most rewarding experience of my life,” Burnam is quoted as saying in a statement by Out Smart Magazine. “Continuing to deny all Texans the freedom to marry robs them of that experience and is detrimental to their families … Our Texas values mandate defending the right of all Texans to have their rights and responsibilities as couples recognized by the state.”

Oh, and by the way, nearly 70 percent of Texans support recognizing same-sex unions. This, my friends, is progress.