West Virginia rejects anti-gay amendment

[WillParkinson]

West Virginia rejects anti-gay amendment


(Charleston, West Virginia) A bid to advance an amendment to West Virginia’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage has failed.

Republicans and social conservatives had pushed the amendment, but it languished in a House committee.

Monday, Republican delegates attempted to drive the bill directly to the floor for a vote. The bid failed 67-30 along party lines.

Amending the West Virginia constitution requires approval of the legislature and a vote by the electorate.

Earlier this month, the conservative Family Policy Council began a telemarketing campaign accusing two lawmakers - Delegates Carrie Webster and Barbara Fleischauer - of blocking a vote on the measure.

http://www.365gay.com/news/wva-rejects-anti-gay-amendment/

[sasquatch]

1. WOW! Biggest shocking upset this March so far!

:patriot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eaaR1Ay5P0

[TEmperorHasNoClothes]

9. I know--- I'm pleasantly shocked at this bracket buster!

[we can do it]

2. Thank You Cousins!

[pepperbear]

3. in WVA? how is that to be? n/t

[theHandpuppet]

4. Maybe because there are West Virginia Dems and DUers?

Like me?

:eyes:

[unhappycamper30]

5. And...

I would be one as well. :)

[theHandpuppet]

6. Howdy neighbor

I think some folks have us confused with the Commonwealth of Virginia, home to some of the most gay-hating laws in the country. But how can that be, some might ask? Virginia, with it's positive trend to the blue, it's Democratic governor and home to Mark Warner and Jim Webb? All I can say is, sometimes states don't deserve their reputations, for good or for ill. One might assume Florida and California would be among those states leading the way for gay rights, so why is it such a battle there? Why is trendy Virginia so obsessed with pushing laws to punish gays just for being alive? What have the "new Dems" done for gays in Virginia? Nothing, that's what.

True, WV has had Democratic Senators and a Democratic Governor for years, though they are what one would consider conservative Dems. In that respect, I think there's a "you mind your business and I'll mind mine" attitude. WV is slowly clawing its way out of a dark past, to the attention of no one, while still fighting stereotypes on many other fronts.

After some time living in the state of Virginia, where my partner and I were visited by the local KKK the first week we arrived (and who left a "welcome" note on our doorstep in the middle of the night) it was a RELIEF to move to neighboring West Virginia. We've been here nearly ten years and have encountered nothing but acceptance and friendship.

[Lyric]

10. And me. And my partner Rhythm. And leftyclimber.

And ThominWV. And lots of others.

[Deep13]

7. Could the tide be turning?

Could the new epidemic of rationality that is sweeping the nation be changing minds about gay rights too? I will watch with guarded hopefulness.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. one can only hope