Last month, News 13 created our own unscientific web poll to find out how Panhandle residents feel about Amendment Two.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ADVISORY

The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes the so-called Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, which will be included in the ballot for the November 2008 election, because it would:

(1) Prohibit all domestic partnerships (between opposite sex and same sex partners), as well as gay marriage;
(2) Discriminate against life partners who wish to enjoy the legal, economic and administrative benefits of a legally recognized relationship but cannot or do not wish to marry;
(3) Contravene accepted League of Women Voters principles of social, economic and health justice.

The language of the “Marriage Protection” amendment precludes recognition of any legal union that is “treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof” other than heterosexual marriage.  By its terms, this language prohibits legal recognition of both gay marriage and any form of domestic partnership, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex.

President Dianne Wheatley-Giliotti states that “The League of Women Voters has long held that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or administrative discrimination.  The League of Women Voters of Florida believes that all life partners in Florida should be able to advocate for their loved ones in health care settings and participate in end-of-life decisions.  By prohibiting recognition of any legal union that is treated as marriage or its substantial equivalent, the so-called “Marriage Protection” amendment would prevent this.”

The impact of this proposed constitutional prohibition would be far-reaching in its social and economic impact because of the many legal, economic and health benefits conferred by legally recognized marriage and domestic partnerships.  For instance, invalidation of domestic partnerships affects the right of individuals to include life partners in health care insurance coverage, to advocate for loved ones in a hospital setting and to be consulted in health care and end-of-life decisions.

Said Vice-President Terry A. Coble, “The League believes that our government should promote social and economic justice.  Both marriage and domestic partnership confer significant economic and legal benefits.  The “Marriage Protection” amendment would prevent people from entering into private relationships that protect them economically and legally.”

For Additional Headlines - go to our News Section »

• Paper Mill to Shut Down
  made by deckboy
• Paper Mill to Shut Down
  made by Watchdog
• Boot Camp Case to Reopen?
  made by jday1999
• Boot Camp Case to Reopen?
  made by TruthFinder
• Demolition in Vernon
  made by john mcbrown
• Man Charged With Bigamy
  made by jday1999
• Man Charged With Bigamy
  made by SSMITH
• Man Charged With Bigamy
  made by quad
• Boot Camp Case to Reopen?
  made by jday1999
• Paper Mill to Shut Down
  made by deckboy

• UPDATE:  Arrests Made in Fatal Shooting in Fountain
• Paper Mill to Shut Down
• Vish Patel Murder
• Semi Crashes Into Apalachicola Bank
• Man Protests for Power
• Elected To Retirement
• Fire Engulfs Real Estate Office
• Warrants Sweep At BCSO
• Man Charged With Bigamy
• Murder Suspects Face Judge

Controversy Over Gay Marriage Amendment Continues
10/09/08 - 09:02 AM
 RSS Feed

Opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage are launching a statewide campaign urging voters to vote against the proposal.

On November 4, residents will vote on Amendment Two, which would define marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman.

A group called Florida4Marriage.org sponsored the initiative and got enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot.

Several groups have joined together to form a coalition called Say No 2.  The group claims the amendment could be detrimental to people in domestic partnerships, including unmarried seniors.

“Committed adults that have formed domestic partnership relationships, including unmarried senior citizens, this amendment could eliminate their ability to share in each other’s health care decisions and pension benefits,” says Michael Kenny of Say No 2.

Say No 2 held a news conference in Tallahassee today. They’re spending one million dollars to run a new statewide TV ad against Amendment 2. 

“The majority of the people of Florida understand the common sense issue that protecting marriage between one man and one woman is in the best interest of the state, it’s in the best interest of protecting our children,” says Nathan Dunn of Yes2Marriage.org

The League of Women of Florida has already voiced their opposition to Amendment 2, and they’re asking voters to reject it.

The amendment needs 60 percent approval to pass.

Florida already has a law against gay marriage, but supporters of the amendment say it’s needed to prevent a judge from overturning the law.

Bay County residents have strong views on the topic.

“[God] did not intend for man for man and woman for woman. and that’s my opinion. I do not believe in it. I do not go for it, and that’s my opinion,” says Bay County resident Mary Singleton.

“I don’t really care if its for a man or a woman. It doesn’t really affect me. I mean, if I wanted to marry someone of the same sex, I feel that I should have the same rights as, the freedom I have if I want to marry someone of the opposite sex,” says Bay County resident Brenna Hosey.

Read the full text of Amendment Two by clicking here.

Click here to read more about who proposed Amendment Two and how many signatures the initiative received.

This entry has been viewed 976 times.