(Montana) OKs legality of proposed gay marriage amendment

[Newsjock]

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/04/08/news/mtregional/news06.txt

State OKs legality of proposed gay marriage amendment
By ALLISON FARRELL Missoulian State Bureau

HELENA - The Montana Family Foundation's proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state cleared its first hurdle this week when the Legislature's chief lawyer declared its language legal.

... The proposed amendment, if approved by voters this November, would become a seventh section under Article XIII of the Montana Constitution, which addresses general provisions.
The amendment would ban gay marriage in Montana by saying: "Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."

... Laszloffy said people opposing gay marriage must act now to prevent the legalization of such unions, before "activist judges" endorse the practice.

... The Montana Family Foundation needs to collect the signatures of 41,020 registered voters, including 10 percent of voters in 28 of the state's 56 counties, to place its constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

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[rumguy]

1. Montana is a "red" state, but it also has an independent, stubborn

streak - it is known for bucking trends...

I know because it's my home state.

Jaenatte Rankin, the first female member of Congress was from Montana, and she was a pacifist!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. signatures of 41,020 voters, including 10% of voters in 28 counties

That's a high hurdle in a state this small.

You are right about Jeanette Rankin, she voted against both the first and second world wars.