Marriage Equality: CA, AZ, FL…
Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry and define marriage as being between a woman and a man, is the anti-marriage equality proposition that’s received the most press and the most donations in this election. Unfortunately, the race is still close and the outcome is uncertain (LA Times).
However, there are also anti-marriage equality initiatives on the ballots in other states. Arizona’s Proposition 102 would amend the AZ state constitution to state, “Marriage – Only a union between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.” A state law already defines marriage as being between one woman and one man, but that’s not enough for the anti-marriage equality people. Arizona voters defeated an anti-marriage equality amendment in 2006, but the zombie of homophobia reared its head again. Equality Arizona is fundraising, running phonebanks, and canvassing neighborhoods against Prop. 102. If you can donate some money or time, please do. A group of bloggers at No on 102 are fighting back against the plethora of Yes on 102 signs by gathering No on 102 pictures. Take a picture and post it to their flickr or email it to noon102 at gmail.
In Florida, Amendment 2 reads,
Inasmuch as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized.
Amendment 2 will ban recognition and benefits for all unmarried couples, blocking civil unions and domestic partnerships. The VoteNoon2.org website says,
The amendment would have an especially harsh impact on Florida”s large senior population, many of whom form domestic partnerships rather than remarry after they are widowed in order not to risk losing essential benefits. Same-sex couples, who are already denied the right to marry by law, would now be denied the right to any kind of meaningful legal protection. The vague language in the amendment, “the substantial equivalent thereof”, will plunge Florida into lawsuits, much as has happened in other states. In every instance around the country, those behind these amendments immediately seek to have it interpreted in the most restrictive way possible for all unmarried people.
Florida law already defines marriage as being between a woman and a man, prohibits same-sex marriages, and has a Defense of Marriage Law (DOMA) on the books. Amendment 2 shows that anti-marriage equality people aren’t content with anything less than enshrining anti-GLBTQI discrimination in their state constitution.
For more information on what you can do to help defeat Amendment 2, visit VoteNoOn2.com. Floridian Brian has been blogging about Amendment 2 over at Incertus.
If there are other anti-marriage equality propositions up for the vote in this election, please let me know.
