[lbo-talk] Constitutional rape

DSR debburz at yahoo.com
Thu Nov 4 13:00:23 PST 2004


A reminder as to why I, as a lesbian, do not want to see the constitutional amendment on marriage encouraged or passed:

"SECTION 1. 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 really scary language is "or the legal incidents thereof." Various analysises suggest that a broad interpretation of this language (in a judicial system soon packed with conservatives) could be used to eradicate domestic partner benefits, civil unions, numerous same-sex initiatives and could open courts to hearing challenges over medical directives, powers of attorney, and other paper used by gays and lesbians to simulate the protections of marriage.

This is why passage of this amendment is so incredibly unconscienable.

And this is why it is time for gay activists to quit acting like every day is Stonewall and start acting like sophisticated political strategists.

- Deborah



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