Ariz. Mulls Gay Marriage Ban - Again

[WillParkinson]

Republican lawmakers on Monday proposed asking voters in November to amend the Arizona Constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state, which was the first to turn down such a measure.

The proposal was backed by 16 of 30 state senators, and an identical proposal was introduced in the House. Both chambers would have to approve the measure in a vote for it to be included on the ballot.

Under the amendment, "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." The proposal comes after Arizona voters narrowly rejected a similar measure in November 2006.

The previous measure included the same definition but also contained wording that was interpreted as prohibiting government recognition of civil unions or domestic partnerships. Seven other states approved amendments that day.

Opponents of the 2006 measure in Arizona focused much of their campaign on the additional wording's reach. A leading backer of both measures said the new one should be considered a "consensus measure" because it is intended solely to bar recognition of same-sex marriage.



But, no, it's not singling out gays or lesbians!

And, yes, there's more...
http://365gay.com/Newscon08/02/021208ariz.htm

[msongs]

1. the almighty Obama uses scriptures to deny gay marriage. HRC denies it too for some reason nt

[ck4829]

2. No means NO.

[dbackjon]

3. Damn knuckle draggers

[Chovexani]

4. God I hate this state.

Yes, it was defeated the last time they tried it (very narrowly), but why the hell is this even up for debate? :cry:

[dbackjon]

5. State was the first one to defeat such a measure

But the fundies keep trying to shove their morality down our throats.


not sure where you lived before AZ, but Arizona is more enlightened and tolerant than 90% of the country.

[Chovexani]

6. NYC.

So yeah, I'm not terribly impressed. I still see way too many Bush/Cheney bumper stickers out here.

[dbackjon]

7. I can see how it is different

Personally, love Arizona, but there are parts I don't like, of course.

[and-justice-for-all]

8. If marriage is so fucking sacred; they should ban divorce!!! nt

[Amimnoch]

9. If it's so "sacred" there should be no laws at all recognizing it!

Congress shall make NO laws regarding an establishment of religion... The very first words of the first amendment, that pesky thing called the Bill of Rights. Funny how so called conservatives LOVE that second amendment yet are so willing to turn a blind eye to the very first one, the one that many of the founding fathers many of them claim to revere considered the single most important one, and many wouldn't ratify the constitution until it was agreed upon to be included.