The big news item this week is that the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved a same-sex marriage ban. This means it now moves before the whole Senate, with a vote scheduled the week of June 5. Committee chair Arlen Specter(R) says he does not support the measure, but wants the full Senate to discuss it. Senator Wayne Allard(R),the bill’s sponsor, also says he does not think it will pass, but wants it to be a legislative decision, not left to the judiciary. Senator Russ Feingold(D), an open supporter of same-sex marriage and a rumored presidential candidate, walked out of the meeting.
In related news, Mary Cheney doesn’t approve the bill, and Laura Bush doesn’t want the issue used as a political tool. The cynical might note they are speaking at a time when the Democrats are having their own problems with the LGBT community, and speculate that this is an attempt by the GOP to pick up swing voters by showing that some Republicans (albeit ones without official government positions) support tolerance. But that’s being cynical.
If you’re a U. S. citizen, write to your senators and urge them to vote no on the amendment. It’s online and easy. This is the time.
Around the states:
- A Georgia Superior Court judge struck down the state’s gay marriage ban on a technicality. Supporters of the ban will appeal.
- In Utah, a judge has ruled that Salt Lake City can offer health benefits to the partners of unmarried workers without violating the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
- Finally, Vermont Governor James Douglas(R) vetoed a bill that would have added “gender identity or expression” to the state’s nondiscrimination law. The bill had passed both houses of the state Legislature.