I’m so sad! I’m so sorry Florida!
An amendment banning same-sex marriage in Florida will be enshrined in the state’s Constitution after winning overwhelming support from voters.
The Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, was approved by more than 62 percent of voters. It needed 60 percent to pass.
Gay marriage was already illegal in the state, but this amendment invalidates all other unions that are “treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent.”
Supporters of the amendment — mostly conservatives and Christian groups — fought hard for its passage, saying it was needed to protect the ”traditional” view of marriage and families by promoting homes with a mom and dad.
The opposition argued that the amendment will invalidate all negative effects on gay and straight Floridians by invalidating domestic partnership benefits, such as health insurance and hospital visitation rights.
I’m so sad! I’m so sorry Arizona!
The second time around proved the charm, as Arizona voters approved a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage.
Proposition 102 proposed a 20-word amendment to the state Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. It’s an attempt to do what backers couldn’t do in 2006: ensure that Arizona’s existing law banning same-sex marriages will not be overturned by a judge.
“Prop. 102′s victory shows that a simple and timeless value like marriage unites people of all ethnic, religious and political backgrounds,” said Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, which lobbied heavily to get lawmakers to refer the matter to the ballot. OAS_AD(‘ArticleFlex_1′)
In 2006, Arizona voters rejected a same-sex marriage amendment, making it the only state ever to turn down such a ban. However, that measure included a provision that would have barred state and local governments from offering domestic-partner benefits to their employees, and many felt that doomed the measure two years ago.
I’m so sad! I’m so sorry Arkansas!
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans on Tuesday approved a ban on unmarried, cohabiting adults from adopting or fostering children.
With 2,177 of 2,588 precincts reporting, the unofficial results from The Associated Press were: For……………………………509,879
Against …………………….379,606
The Family Council Action Committee gathered the necessary signatures to put Proposed Initiative Act No. 1 on the ballot, hoping to replicate the group’s 2004 successful effort to ban gay marriage in the state.
It’s not looking good for California:
52% 48%
But I’m delighted and thrilled with Connecticut!
Connecticut voters rejected a plan for the state to hold a rare convention to make changes to its constitution. Opponents of same-sex marriage had expressed hope that a convention could lead to a ballot initiative to ban the practice, which the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled legal last month.
Connecticut is the third state, after Massachusetts and California, to allow marriage between people of the same sex.
(Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man; Douglas Major, Washington Cathedral, Aeolian-Skinner Organ)
