CONTACT: Kate Kendell
(415) 392-6257
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS ANTI-GAY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Proposed Amendment is an attack on lesbian and gay families
WASHINGTON - The National Center for Lesbian Rights condemned the introduction of a proposed federal constitutional amendment that would preclude states from recognizing same-sex relationships. The bill was drafted by the Alliance for Marriage, an anti-gay organization, and was announced today in the House of Representatives.
"The purpose of this amendment is not to protect marriage as the proponents suggest, but rather to cheaper the constitution and to forever bar States from providing even the most basic protections and security to lesbian and gay relationships and families," said Kate Kendell, NCLR Executive Director. "This drastic and radical measure would prohibit States from enacting protections and would prevent fair-minded courts from assuring equality for same-sex relationship."
The proposed constitutional amendment reads: "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this constitution or the constitution of any state, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups."
The proposed amendment faces a large uphill battle. To be enacted, the amendment must pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds majority, as well as be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.
NCLR is a national public interest law center dedicated to achieving full human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families through a program of litigation, public policy, advocacy, community education, and free legal advice and counseling. For more information, visit <http://www.nclrights.org>.