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^ Fdf^itfes amf Frieftd f off Lesbfaris atid Gays
GREENSBORO, N.C.
Vol. 11 No. 5
lay, 2004
Marriage debate rages
The debate on equal marriage rights for same-sex
couples is continuing. Massachusetts will become the first
state to recognize same-sex marriage on May 17.
Meanwhile state legislatures in dozens of states are working
to block same-sex marriage. In November, voters in at least
six states will decide on constitutional amendments banning
gay marriage.
In Massachusetts, hundreds of gay couples are
awaiting the big day when same-sex marriage becomes fully
legal as a result of last fall's ruling by the state supreme
court. The state legislature has tried to overcome the ruling
by passing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex
marriage - but that can't go to the voters until 2006, leaving
more than two years for people there to get used to the idea
of same-sex marriage. Moreover, if the amendment passes it
will also bring about "civil unions." A few years ago when
introduced in Vermont, this idea seemed to be the most that
could be achieved. But now gays and lesbians are pushing
for full equality in marriage. This will show that society
fully accepts homosexuality - which is why the extreme
right is so determined to stop it now.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a strong
opponent of same-sex marriage, first tried to get the state's
supreme court to stay its order for same-sex marriage to be
legalized on May 17 until voters can decide the proposed
constitutional amendment. But only the state attorney
general can ask the court to do this, and he refused. Next
Romney tried to use a 1913 law to stop out-of-state couples
from coming to Massachusetts to get married. That law,
passed to deter inter-racial marriages, says that no marriage
license can be granted if their marriage would be void in
their home state. Romney ordered local clerks to demand
proof of residency before a couple could receive a marriage
license. In response, many clerks in major cities and small
towns said they would refuse to obey that order, despite the
governor's threat of dire consequences.
Sreeinstoro PFLAG
m
1
4 8. 7:30 p.m.
Frieotils Rfeefiogi House
Mew Gardsm RoacH
Welcome to PFLAG. We offer a safe,
confidential space in which to explore our feelings and
understandings about the gay experience, especially
"coining out" and what this means to families and other
loved ones. Listen and share as much or as little as you
feel comfortable with, knowing that others can
understand. Welcome especially to our returning
members whose love is so healing.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, California and
Portland, Oregon where thousands of same-sex couples have
been granted marriage licenses, courts have stepped in to
temporarily block this. But court cases will probably reach
the supreme courts in both states to decide whether banning
same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.
In order to stop same-sex marriage, the extreme
right has been pushing for an amendment to the U.S.
constitution to ban same-sex marriage. President Bush has
endorsed the proposed amendment. This would be the first
time an amendment would endorse discrimination and
restrict the rights of a large group of people.
In dozens of states, legislatures are considering
legislation or state constitutional amendments to stop same-
sex marriage. The only reason that North Carolina has not
been on the list is because the legislature has not been in
session. But it now appears that a constitutional amendment
will be brought up in this year's short session. You may
want to write to your local legislators to urge them to vote
against any such amendment.
- Tom Clarke
"Bringing the Message Home!1"
The national PFLAG organization has designated
the period from Mother's Day (May 9) to Father's Day (June
20) as a time to "Bring the Message Home" by calling on
congressmen and senators to oppose the Federal Marriage
Amendment.
Possible activities include much of what is already
going on to an impressive degree - reaching out to local
media with your local family perspective, writing letters to
editors and elected officials, working with community allies
on such efforts as encouraging city councils and county
commissions to adopt resolutions either in support of
marriage or in opposition to a federal marriage
discrimination amendment (or both!) and, lobbying state
legislatures.
Object Description
Page/Item Description
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| Transcript | ^ Fdf^itfes amf Frieftd f off Lesbfaris atid Gays GREENSBORO, N.C. Vol. 11 No. 5 lay, 2004 Marriage debate rages The debate on equal marriage rights for same-sex couples is continuing. Massachusetts will become the first state to recognize same-sex marriage on May 17. Meanwhile state legislatures in dozens of states are working to block same-sex marriage. In November, voters in at least six states will decide on constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. In Massachusetts, hundreds of gay couples are awaiting the big day when same-sex marriage becomes fully legal as a result of last fall's ruling by the state supreme court. The state legislature has tried to overcome the ruling by passing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage - but that can't go to the voters until 2006, leaving more than two years for people there to get used to the idea of same-sex marriage. Moreover, if the amendment passes it will also bring about "civil unions." A few years ago when introduced in Vermont, this idea seemed to be the most that could be achieved. But now gays and lesbians are pushing for full equality in marriage. This will show that society fully accepts homosexuality - which is why the extreme right is so determined to stop it now. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a strong opponent of same-sex marriage, first tried to get the state's supreme court to stay its order for same-sex marriage to be legalized on May 17 until voters can decide the proposed constitutional amendment. But only the state attorney general can ask the court to do this, and he refused. Next Romney tried to use a 1913 law to stop out-of-state couples from coming to Massachusetts to get married. That law, passed to deter inter-racial marriages, says that no marriage license can be granted if their marriage would be void in their home state. Romney ordered local clerks to demand proof of residency before a couple could receive a marriage license. In response, many clerks in major cities and small towns said they would refuse to obey that order, despite the governor's threat of dire consequences. Sreeinstoro PFLAG m 1 4 8. 7:30 p.m. Frieotils Rfeefiogi House Mew Gardsm RoacH Welcome to PFLAG. We offer a safe, confidential space in which to explore our feelings and understandings about the gay experience, especially "coining out" and what this means to families and other loved ones. Listen and share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, knowing that others can understand. Welcome especially to our returning members whose love is so healing. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, California and Portland, Oregon where thousands of same-sex couples have been granted marriage licenses, courts have stepped in to temporarily block this. But court cases will probably reach the supreme courts in both states to decide whether banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. In order to stop same-sex marriage, the extreme right has been pushing for an amendment to the U.S. constitution to ban same-sex marriage. President Bush has endorsed the proposed amendment. This would be the first time an amendment would endorse discrimination and restrict the rights of a large group of people. In dozens of states, legislatures are considering legislation or state constitutional amendments to stop same- sex marriage. The only reason that North Carolina has not been on the list is because the legislature has not been in session. But it now appears that a constitutional amendment will be brought up in this year's short session. You may want to write to your local legislators to urge them to vote against any such amendment. - Tom Clarke "Bringing the Message Home!1" The national PFLAG organization has designated the period from Mother's Day (May 9) to Father's Day (June 20) as a time to "Bring the Message Home" by calling on congressmen and senators to oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment. Possible activities include much of what is already going on to an impressive degree - reaching out to local media with your local family perspective, writing letters to editors and elected officials, working with community allies on such efforts as encouraging city councils and county commissions to adopt resolutions either in support of marriage or in opposition to a federal marriage discrimination amendment (or both!) and, lobbying state legislatures. |
