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April 1, 2004
Georgia House Upholds Gay Marriage Amendment
The times, they are a-changin' back. Reversing last month's decision to reject writing discrimination into the Georgia Constitution, the Georgia House of Representatives voted by a slim 122-52 vote (120 votes were needed) to support an amendment banning gay marriage. Governor Sonny Perdue has already announced that he will support an amendment, meaning that the amendment will be on the ballot in November.
Money quotes from the New York Times article:
"We cannot let judges in Boston, or officials in San Francisco, define marriage for the people of Georgia," Representative Bill Hembree, a Douglasville Republican and the amendment's sponsor, said in a speech to the chamber.Quite frankly, I'd rather not have insurance agents in the 'burbs define marriage for the people of Atlanta, much less Georgia.
Representative Randal Mangham, a Decatur Democrat who had previously abstained from voting, said he changed his mind because he felt uncomfortable explaining the issue to his children. "I don't appreciate having to explain to my 9-year-old why two big husky guys are kissing," Mr. Mangham said. "God discriminates against the act, but he loves the person. I will continue to protect people who live that lifestyle."Continue to protect them by taking away their rights? Mangham doesn't represent the section of Decatur where I live, but here's hoping that someone who really cares about protecting equal rights challenges him in the upcoming election.
I think that what troubles me here is the lack of any real alternatives in Georgia. Most of our states Democrats (especially outside of Atlanta) are relatively conservative, as this vote indicates. It leaves me feeling somewhat powerless. I do appreciate people such as Rep. Douglas Dean, a black Atlanta Democrat, who commented, "They're absolutely crazy," Dean said of the blacks who sided with Republicans and conservative Democrats. "It's a sad day, and I'm angry as hell." But right now, there just don't seem to be enough people like Rep. Dean out there. Not in Georgia anyway.
Posted by chuck at April 1, 2004 10:20 AM
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Comments
I am strongly in favor of allowing gays to marry. But on the other hand, I'm aware that the law frequently has an expressive function so it is legally and constitutionally legitimate (even if morally wrong) for the people of Georgia to express their moral convictions by supporting such an amendment. I think the only thing that can be done is to wait until there's the critical mass of Georgians who are in favor of gay marriage. My pessimistic assessment is that Georgia (along with virtually the rest of the world) simply hasn't reached that point.
Posted by: Chris Martin at April 1, 2004 4:29 PM
I'd agree that the law has the expressive function you describe, which is why I find these laws even more frustrating in general; in spite of phone calls and letters to my representatives, I find that they don't often represent my convictions or the convictions of many of the people I consider important. Part of my concern here is that very few people were really calling for this amendment, but many people will support it because it is now on the ballot.
Posted by: chuck at April 1, 2004 5:34 PM