Protecting Marriage in Key States
By Maurine Proctor

In 2006, eight states passed constitutional marriage amendments bringing the total to 27.  Now that the election is a distant memory, how is the institution of marriage faring in state houses across the county this year?  In this article, Meridian will give you a brief analysis of where we are, where the battle is raging, and how you can make a difference. 

Where We Are

A total of 44 states have laws defining marriage as the union between a man and a woman.  While this may sound reassuring keep in mind that 17 of these states define marriage in statue only and therefore are vulnerable to lawsuits and activist judges.  Currently, court cases seeking to overturn marriage laws are pending in Maryland, California and Connecticut.  The states who do not define marriage in their laws or policies are Massachusetts (who legalized same-sex marriage in 2004), Connecticut (who legalized civil unions in 2005), New Jersey (who legalized civil unions in 2007), New Mexico, New York and Rhode Island.

Same-Sex Marriage and Its Legal Equivalents

Whether its called same-sex marriage or it's legal equivalents of domestic partnerships or civil unions, they all seek to weaken or redefine our society's most vital social institution-MARRIAGE!  Why?  Because state lawmakers are sending the wrong message to its citizens, especially the rising generation, that marriage is just one of many equally valid lifestyles.  This is a false scientific assumption, and flies in the face of decades of social science and government data on the unique benefits of man/woman marriage on adults, children and society. Click here to read "The Map of the Family" by the Heritage Foundation. 

We also know from Scandinavian countries that when same-sex marriage or its equivalents become legal, man/woman marriage decreases and out of wedlock birthrates skyrocket.  Norway legalized domestic partnerships in 1993 and now a staggering 60 percent of children are born out of wedlock.  In some areas it is as high as 80 percent.  Click here to read "The End of Marriage in Scandinavia." 

Undermining the Federal Law and Programs

By redefining marriage or granting all the rights, benefits and protections of marriage to any two people, state lawmakers are undermining federal law and the Healthy Marriage Initiative.  Are you aware that in 1996 Congress concluded, "Marriage is the foundation of a successful society, and marriage is an essential institution of a successful society which promotes the interests of children." 

These statements have been backed with a lot of your tax dollars.  In 2005 the federal government passed the Deficit Reduction Act which allocates $150 million each year for healthy marriage promotion and fatherhood.  It makes no sense for federal lawmakers to pour millions of dollars into strengthening marriage while state lawmakers are passing laws which weaken marriage.  In 2006, 100 top family scholars from conservative and liberal universities signed their names to a document called "Marriage and the Law:  A Statement of Principles."  They all agreed that family law seriously errs when it considers marriage and one of many equally valid lifestyles. 

The Power of Special Interest Groups

Perhaps the greatest irony in this whole debate is that the very rights and benefits same-sex couples say they want are already available to them with the right paperwork and through legal means.  If public or private entities want to offer health benefits to their unmarried employees, they already can.  If unmarried patients want a partner to have hospital visitation rights and/or medical decision-making power, they already can.  Unmarried people can own property together and designate beneficiaries. 

So why aren't state lawmakers listening to the data, the federal government and family scholars and racing to pass marriage amendments?  It's called the power of special interest groups.  The gay-rights lobby is well-organized and well-funded and is making its voice heard loud and clear in the court house, the state house, corporate board rooms and classrooms across the country.  If you doubt this go to the websites for the Human Rights Campaign at http://www.hrc.org or the Tim Gill Foundation at http://www.gillfoundation.org/.  We need citizens like you and me to unite our voices with others and make it loud and clear where constituents stand on this important social issue.

Where The Battle is Raging

Below is a list of states who are considering legislation to weaken or redefine marriage.  If you have friends or family in any of the states below, please forward this important email on to them by clicking on "Send to Friends" on the left side of this page!  We need everyone's help! 

States Considering Gay Marriage

California: A gay marriage bill, AB 43, was introduced December 4, 2006.  Click here to read the text   The governor has said the people have spoken on this issue with the passage of Prop 22, and that he would veto this bill.  The 2007 legislative session adjourns September 12th.

Take Action:  Tell your elected officials in the assembly that you oppose the gay marriage bill, AB 43.  To contact your state legislators click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

Connecticut:  The House Judiciary Committee voted 27-15 on April 12th to advanced a gay marriage bill, HB 7395, to the house floor.  Click here to read the bill. In response to the vote Republican Gov. Rell, who signed the civil unions law, stated she believes marriage is between one man and one woman.  In 2005 Connecticut lawmakers legalized civil unions.  The 2007 legislative session adjourns June 6, 2007.

Take Action:  Urge your representatives in the house to vote against the gay marriage bill, HB 7395.  To contact your state legislators click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

Rhode Island: Gay marriage bill, S 0202, was introduced in the senate January 31, 2007. A similar bill, H 6081, was introduced in the house on March 1, 2007.  These bills would broaden the definition of persons eligible to marry to include persons of the same gender.  This act would also provide that members of the clergy would not be required to officiate at any particular marriage. Click here to read the text.  The 2007 legislative session adjourns the end of June.

Take Action:  Tell your state senator that you oppose the gay marriage bill, S 0202 and your representatives that you oppose H 6081.  To contact your legislators click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

States Considering Civil Unions

Hawaii:  Bills to establish civil unions have been introduced in the house and senate.  Click here to read the bill in the house.  The 2007 legislative session adjourns May 3, 2007.

Take Action:   Urge your legislators in the house to vote against HB 907 and HB 908.  Urge your legislators in the senate to vote against SB 1062 and SB 1175. To contact your lawmakers click here and enter your zip code as directed.

New Hampshire:  A civil unions' bill has passed the New Hampshire House by a vote of 243-129.  On April 10th the senate Judiciary Committee allowed five hours of public testimony on the bill with twice as many people opposing the bill than supporting it.  Despite the opposition, the bill, HB437, cleared the committee by a 3-2 vote.  The full senate will debate it on Wednesday, April 18th. Click here to read the bill. The 2007 legislative session adjourns July 1, 2007.

Take Action:  Urge your state senator to vote against the civil unions' bill HB437.  To contact your senator click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

Rhode Island: Two civil unions' bills were introduced in the house in February.  H 5356 was introduced February 7, 2007.  Click here to read it: Another civil unions' bill H 5643, was introduced February 28, 2007.  Click here to read the text. Both bills have been referred to the House Judicary Committee

Take Action:  Tell your state representatives that you oppose the civil unions bills, H 5356 and H 5643.  To contact your legislators click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

South Carolina:  A civil unions' bill was introduced in the senate on January 24, 2007.  It has been referred to a judiciary subcommittee.  No hearing has been scheduled.  Click here to read the bill.  The 2007 legislative session adjourns June 7, 2007.

Take Action:  Tell your state senator that you oppose senate bill 326 which would legalize civil unions in South Carolina.  To contact your senator click here and enter your zip code as directed. 

States Considering Domestic Partnerships

New Mexico:  The domestic partnership bill passed the house and was stalled in the senate when the session ended March 17th. Governor Bill Richardson held a special legislative session to introduce the domestic partnership bill which he said was "A bill to enact a law where a domestic partner (or an equivalent designation) has the same rights, protections, and benefits under law as a spouse in a marriage..."  Click here and scroll down to #7.  The session is now over and the senate did not vote on the bill.

Take Action:  Even though the legislative session is over for 2007, still contact your legislators and tell them you support a marriage amendment bill and oppose a domestic partnership bill.   To contact your legislators click here and enter your zip code as directed.  

New York: Domestic partnership bills have been filed in the assembly and senate.  The assembly bill, A 03869,  and the senate bill, S 01992, were both referred to their respective judiciary committees on January 29, 2007.  Click here to read the text of A 03869.  Click here to read the text of S 01992.   The New York General Assembly meets periodically all year round.

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Maurine Jensen Proctor is the Editor-in-Chief of Meridian Magazine.

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