Just one day into the 2008 legislative session, Sen. Jim Forrester (R-Gaston) once again filed an anti-LGBT, anti-marriage state constitutional amendment. A similar bill is expected in the state House. Equality North Carolina is working to defeat these attempts to write discrimination into our state constitution.
The proposed bill mirrors those introduced in the last four sessions, which Equality North Carolina and our allies have successfully blocked.
"We can’t let our guard down this year," said Ian Palmquist, Executive Director. "The far right would like nothing better than to put this amendment on the ballot and turn out radical conservative voters for the 2008 elections. We can’t let Sen. Forrester and his cronies play politics with our lives, our rights, and our families."
The amendment would not only prohibit same-sex marriage—which is already not recognized in the state under current law—but would also ban any other form of relationship recognition for same-sex couples. In fact, the language is so broad it could prevent private companies from offering partner health benefits.
Equality North Carolina is actively lobbying against the amendment and is calling on supporters to contact their legislators.
You can send a message to legislators through Equality North Carolina’s web site.
UPDATE: Meanwhile, the California Supreme Court placed that state in the same situation as Massachusetts — it struck down the ban on gay marriage. And here’s the ruling. Quote from the controlling opinion:
Our state now recognizes that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibility to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights.
We conclude that, under this state’s Constitution, the constitutionally based right to marry properly must be understood to encompass the core set of basic substantive legal rights and attributes traditionally associated with marriage that are so integral to an individual’s liberty and personal autonomy that they may not be eliminated or abrogated by the Legislature or by the electorate through the statutory initiative process. These core substantive rights include, most fundamentally, the opportunity of an individual to establish — with the person with whom the individual has chosen to share his or her life — an officially recognized and protected family possessing mutual rights and responsibilities and entitled to the same respect and dignity according a union traditionally designated as marriage.
Okay, then.
Glenn Greewald has a nice analysis of the California Supreme Court decision — what it means and what it doesn’t mean.
This hasn’t stopped the hardcore wingnuts from going insane, as evidenced by these actual quotes from commenter at the Free Republic (courtesy of Pam Spaulding)
…and the country continues its downward spiral toward oblivion.
Caligula would be proud of this decision. What next, animals?
There is a constitutional amendment in the works for voters to vote on in November, which could overturn this ruling. But California may be too socially liberal to overturn this court order. Stay tuned.
Unfortunately I”m unable to listen to Rush, has he mentioned this? And more importantly has he commented on this?
The militant homosexualists and their communist allies have now forced us to go to the labor and expense of amending the California constitution to make it absolutely clear that marriage will not be redefined out of existence in this state.
So be it. The amendment will pass in a landslide.
Here come the polygamists over the border to win their “rights” via the courts too…just wait a couple weeks.
California is beyond hope; let the Mexicans have it
In the years past this would be a big event. National Coverage, huge battle, Major Protests……now it even bare got covered in evening news.
Disastrous turn of events. Maybe the Religious Base would get motivated now.
Doesn’t look like it. We are doomed.
As a long time California resident, I knew this disgusting day was coming. California was once a model state, the model in every respect for the other states of this country — fiscally, in education, and its politics. It was clean state, free from mega-perverison, copious numbers of illegal immigrants, and we had politicians that gave a damn about something other than their personal empowerment obtained through pandering and runaway spending.
Actually, I am surprised the vote was so close, given the runaway PC crap and liberalism that has turned California into a socialist dung heap. All this done too, without the regard for the legal nightmare that this move is going to make — as usual, ONLY LAWYERS WILL PROFIT from this. Meanwhile you will have to explain to your young children, how Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith can be man and “wife” — Actually, I am headed for San Francisco now, to marry my dog.
No, little boys and girls in public schools, that’s who’s next. And polygamy,.. and anything else until the word marriage has no meaning at all.
God instituted marriage way back at the “beginning”. And, satan’s been trying to destroy it ever sense. But, we all know (or should) who wins in the end.
This is probably the worst thing that could have happened for the liberals in this election. While it may not have the same deep impact as it did in 2004, there’s no way this helps Obama or the Dems in this election and it provides fuel for such constitutional amendments in both California and Arizona and Florida that will be before the voters this year. Any conservative fuel on the fire will make the Dems worry.
As for that fruitcake judge Ronald George, you’ve been living in Frisco, too long, Mr. Judicial Activist. You’re such a fruit.
Once again a few fruitcakes in black robes have overturned the will of the people.
I no longer wonder if their will be a revolution to save America but when.
Amazing!! You know why the gays fight so hard for “gay marriage”, right? Now every school must teach that this is an alternate lifestyle included with all others….that is the main reason. Your 6 year child will now be brainwashed into thinking this is “ok”….what a sick group of people. They won’t let 16 year old kids drink, smoke or drive, but they’ll let or support them having sex and risk getting all sexually transmitted diseases including HIV!!
BTW, did you know that 95% of civil unions end up separated before 3 years!!! 95%!!!!!
It was inevitable. Never mind what the majority of California citizens want. The narcissistic judges follow the money showered by narcissistic gays who are so enamoured of their own bodily orifices and appendages that they crave others built exactly like themselves to play with, like toddlers. I recently read that the gay market has $60 billion in disposable income, which is why they are pandered to by politicians, media, and corporations. And you ain’t seen nothin’ yet, wait ‘til Obama is president. Can we just find a state and secede NOW?
Any Constitutional Amendment is dead in the water because the GOP are milquetoast.
Much of “conservative” talk radio is in the back pocket of militant homo lobby due to their preponderant status in entertainment and advertising.
Now, more than ever, we need Alan Keyes for President. Before it’s too late. http://alankeyes.com He’s the complete Reagan conservative who has been right all along. The McCain GOP will do little more than wink at this travesty.