Thirty states have a constitutional amendment on the books defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. If some folks in Delaware have their way, it'll soon be 31.
While Delaware's constitution doesn't say it, state law defines marriage as an opposite-sex only coupling. And gay couples aren't even entitled to second-class civil union status there. Which makes efforts by some legislators to get the State Assembly and Senate to amend the constitution a frightening scenario.
And it's underway right now.
It's Senate Bill 27, being debated today, which would amend the Delaware constitution to declare only marriages between one woman and one man be legal — and the only marriages that would be recognized in Delaware, meaning a a gay coupled legally married in Connecticut would have no status if they drove a few hours south.
But there's also hope for good gay news. In the State Assembly today, the House Administration Committee is looking at House Bill 5, which seeks to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance.
But as Delaware's News-Journal explains, "Laurel Democrat Sen. Robert L. Venables Sr. faces a more difficult battle getting his SB 27 through both chambers. As a constitutional amendment, it requires a three-fifths vote in both chambers, not only this session but in the legislative session that begins in January 2011."
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The religious zealots threaten every law maker who seeks to advance equality for everyone while they push other law makers to advance discrimination for one group of tax payers.
I hate religious assholes. We must destroy their corporation, now!
@Flex: And how exactly would you suggest doing that? What I depise is people who rant on sites but offer to clear way to assist in the injustices that are being threatened by these law makers.
I wish I had an answer but I do not. But I don't for one moment think I'm going to make an impact on anything by espousing hatred.
So basically there is no chance in hell of a marriage amendment passing in DE?
I mean, I hate to pointout the obvious fear mongering, but there's next to no chance this anti-marriage amendment becomes law, right? So what is the issue? Conservatives introduce far out shit all the time. I mean, worth pointing out that they're bigoted whackjobs, but this won't become law, so….why so scary?
Fight this injustice! How can we let ignorance continue? Every time one of these outrageously discriminatory laws comes up, it's a further threat to America as the supposed equal nation it's supposed to be. We're already so mistreated; gay peopel have every right to fight against this crap and live our lives without people trying to destroy them all the time!
luckily for delawarans(delawarians, delawarers?) they seem to have a sensible constitutional amendment process, which means a controversial ban like that has no chance of passing. seems to be good news on the eastern sea board for now.
@rogue dandelion: Yes, but it also means that if it *does* pass, it's all the more difficult to get rid of. The same initiative process that got Prop 8 in California may well reverse it next year, but if they do get a 3/5 vote two years in a row, no one will ever even *propose* a repeal. Why bother?
I heard the attack was parried and HB5 won. Excellent. Hopefully the gay agenda will be back on the offensive soon…