Gay couple is leaving AK as amendment takes effect

[Viva_La_Revolution]

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A new Arkansas law made the difference, Deborah New says - she and her partner are heading to Oregon.
The law that concerns New, approved in the Nov. 2 general election, bars gay marriages and civil unions in Arkansas.

"The law does not respect me the way I respect it," said New. "So I'm taking my money and my disposable income and my education and my charitable volunteering and everything else I contribute to this economy with me."

The couple said they may eventually move to Canada, where gay marriage is legal. Their concern is that the amendment could have an affect on legal contracts they've set up to establish their relationship.

more...http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=73012

Don't move here, apparently we hate gays too!!! AAAGGGHHH!

[Newkophile]

1. AK = Alaska

Your subject heading implies the state of Alaska. The two letter initials for Arkansas is "AR".

[dbt]

4. Mistake is at the source.

dbt
Friendship AR

[Viva_La_Revolution]

15. oops, thanx guys.. n/t

[wicket]

2. Tell 'em to come to Mass.

They are more than welcome here! :hi:

[Todd B]

18. The more the merrier!

Heck yeah, we promise that here in Massachusetts the world hasn't ended because the "sanctimony of marriage" has been broken.. in fact, everything is pretty much the same as before the issue was brought to the table (But shhh, them crazy GOP'ers want everyone to think that the world will end if gay marriage is legal!).

The only bad thing in Massachusetts is Romney, but I'm sure he won't survive another term since he has done nothing except try to push this idiotic gay marriage ban (and failed!). :D

[Bat Boy]

3. That should pretty much empty the state of all homosexuals...

Can't imagine there being many more.

Seriously, it's a gain for Oregon.

[hecate77]

5. My partner and I are thinking about moving as well.

We find that the number of states we dare not visit is growing. We cannot visit Virginia, for instance, on the chance that one or the other of us gets injured. Since they have passed a law banning all legal arrangements between same sex people that mimic any privilege of marriage, our hospital visitation/medical decisions paperwork from California would be null and void there. It seems it is not really safe to go some places anymore. We are looking at the possibility of moving to Canada as well, but we are taking a bit of a wait and see attitude, while we hope for a total meltdown of the Repug machine.

We have a pretty good domestic partnership law in California, but of course, that gives us no Federal rights at all. Massachusetts sounds attractive, but having lived there for over 10 years in the late 60s, early 70s (anti-war activist), I don't like the weather all that much compared to California or British Columbia.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. One wants to do what is best for oneself and one's partner, but one also doesn't want to cut and run.

Stephanie, in California for now.

[gatorboy]

6. There's actually a pretty good size gay population where I live in AR.

At least where I live, anyways.

A few years back a gay friend of mine decided to sponsor a festival to raise money to fight AIDS. I helped design the logo and everything seemed to be on track that the event was going to take place.

Well, when the local baptists found out the gay community was helping create the festival, they went into high gear to shut them down, threatening to boycott businesses that provided help and sponsorship as well as having their own "High Morals" event.

Unfortunately, the festival was dropped through huge pressure from the city, the baptists got their way, and the fight for AIDS lost valuable help...

[fortyfeetunder]

20. Shutting down AIDS assistance in red state is too bad

because the largest growing group of HIV/AIDS patients in the red states are heterosexuals...

[Ducks In A Row]

7. Oregon nice, but we have alot unemployment at the moment

so unless she's starting a business and can hire, she might unconsider moving here.

[WindRavenX]

8. second worst economy in the union

I wasn't even able to get a summer job at MickeyD's!

[Ducks In A Row]

10. when it gets bad in the US, it's worse here

but it's a nice place to live other than that.

[UCLA Dem]

13. no jobs and all they care about is who people marry.

i just don't get it.


:crazy:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

16. nope, businesses are not happy......

Taxes and such.

[MissB]

9. Oregon?

didn't someone tell her that the nice blue state of Oregon voted for a gay marriage ban as well? Wugh.

[Ducks In A Row]

11. it might be fought in the courts

[sandnsea]

14. Already is

"Gay rights leaders on Thursday asked the Oregon Supreme Court to order civil unions for same-sex couples and to uphold the legality of 3,000 marriage licenses issued to gay and lesbian couples earlier this year in Multnomah County."


http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1100869283273990.xml?oregonian?fpfp

[Toucano]

12. From article:

'But Oregon's law isn't as constricting as Arkansas', New and Seaton said, because it doesn't ban civil unions.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

17. 'Don't blame me, I voted no on 37"

:)

[libpunkmom]

19. No on 36

Wasn't 37 land use??

[99Pancakes]

21. California not only has great So. Calif weather

but it DOES allow civil unions. I have a long time gay friend in Yreka (most northernly part of CA) who is in a civil union with his mate (he refers to him as "husband" no matter what any law says). Anyway, I would like to think that CA will follow in footsteps of Mass. eventually.

I want to tell you that in CA, there is a lot more acceptance along the coast, and in the metropolis areas of SF, LA, SD.....Fresno is good, but otherwise, you really need to AVOID the whole San Jaoquin valley---very RED area! The whole coast of CA is liberal and you will find great toleration and friendship in the coastal areas and majoe cities. Our economy is slowly picking up.... You are welcome here anytime!!

Peace & Love to You!! Hang in there!! God DOES love you (Sheesh! What do the evangelical numbskulls know?!)

:hi: