Arizona Anti-Gay Amendment Declared 'Dead'

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/01/012304azAmend.htm

A bid to amend Arizona's constitution to deny any rights to same-sex couples is dead in the water the head of a powerful legislative committee has declared.

Sen. Mark Anderson (R-Mesa), who chairs the Senate Family Services Committee, has refused to hold hearings on the bill that would have defined marriage as a union between a man and woman and prohibit state courts from interpreting the constitution to require that any unmarried couples be granted "the privileges and legal incidents of marital status." (story)

The state already has legislation on the books barring same-sex marriage, "so I don't see that this is going to necessarily bring any great benefit," Anderson said

*********************************************************************

Whoo-hoo---at this point in time, I'll take every victory we can get!

[Sapphocrat]

1. Maybe they actually recognize 'overkill' when they see it?

I'm genuinely impressed, and surprised. I pretty much assumed Arizona would jump at the opportunity, considering the, ah..., how shall I say it, religious influence on top of the heavy Republican influence.

[EFF BrandyWine]

2. Actually it's getter better in AZ...

and a large number of enlightened moderate republicans as well. We find ourselves voting for republicans in local elections. Many good people here.

[EFF BrandyWine]

3. Of course there are still a lot of idiots around too and exceptions.

For example: that blustering blimp of a bufoon; J.D. Hayworth. Ewwww.

[Sapphocrat]

5. Glad to hear it...

It's what kept me from moving to the beeeeeeeeeautiful town of Prescott many years ago.

(Yes, PRESS-kut, not PRESS-scott. LOL)

[ninkasi]

4. Good

It's still incredible to me that so many in this country see nothing hypocritical about denying human rights to others. This country is up to it's eyeballs in legitimate problems. Causing more problems by mistreating our fellow citizens is inexcusable.

I'm only sorry to have to say that I don't think I'll ever live long enough to see the day when we are enlightened enough to really, really extend human rights to everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, religion, or skin color. Til that day comes, we have no business dictating to other countries how they should be run.

[TexasProgressive]

6. Great News

Coming so soon after Bush's unfortunate and hateful language in the SOTU, this is heartening. I've been warning friends for months that in 2004 there would be no bigger "moral" issue to the conservatives than the issue of gay rights. I'm so tired of that thin veil of "hating the sin, loving the sinner" crap. What a pathetic lie.

The louder the intolerant get, the greater our ability to shine a light on the injustice of it all.

Hey! I'm new here. Hello everybody.

[Sapphocrat]

7. Hey, you're new here!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[TexasProgressive]

8. Yes I am

Thanks! It's good to be here.

[ldf]

9. welcome!

come on in and sit a spell.

:-)

[TexasProgressive]

10. Hello

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I'm about to leave the office and will pick up the latest edition of The Advocate on my way home.

Be sure to pick up a copy. Wesley Clark is on the cover, and apparently there are some good articles inside focusing on all of the Democrats regarding their policy positions on gay rights.

[JoFerret]

11. The definition of freedom...

... moves forward amother inch.