Gay marriage constitutional ban fails in conservative Idaho

[stevedeshazer]

BOISE, Idaho — A proposal to write a ban on same-sex marriage into the Idaho Constitution was defeated today for the second consecutive year. A statutory prohibition remains in force.

The constitutional measure had majority support in the state Senate in a 21-14 vote. But that fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to send the constitutional amendment to a vote of the people. Eight Republican senators and six Democrats voted against.

The amendment would have invalidated any type of marriage or civil union except those between one man and one woman.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, said he would not try to pass an amended version of the bill this year. But the narrow margin of defeat means the bill will probably be considered at least once again next year.

more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002168278_webidaho02.html

[Bertha Venation]

1. The man I would've married* was from Idaho.

* That is, before I came to my senses and out of the closet.

[TahitiNut]

6. See? Women ARE more attractive! (I've known this all along.)

:evilgrin: I have respect for people who share my taste. :silly:

[VegasWolf]

9. TahitiNut, what part of San Jose did you live in? Sorry off topic,

just curious.

[TahitiNut]

11. Cupertino (Monte Vista) '83-'92, Los Gatos '97-'02

... and I miss it like an amputated leg. :cry: I do know the way to San Jose.

[VegasWolf]

13. Hey, i was in Los Gatos 89 - 94, Sunnyvale 94- 96, Foster City 96 - 02.

Good memories!

[Erika]

2. A victory for individual freedom

and a defeat for mean-spirited bigotry!

[Delphinus]

8. Amen!

You said it wonderfully, Erika. This shows there's a chance of it failing everywhere if conservative Idaho can't pass it.

[Richard Steele]

3. Real 'conservatives' believe in real FREEDOM! WhoWoodaImagined?

G*D bless Idaho!

[SmileyBoy]

4. I wish my state had more sense like this.

The damn bigots (citizen referendum) in my state passed a gay marriage ban 80-20.

The ban even passed in my fairly liberal precinct.:cry:

[stevedeshazer]

5. To be fair,

A straight-up referendum vote in Idaho would give similar results, but this was a legislative action.

[GOPFighter]

7. Eight Republicans voted against it.

A standing O for those brave souls!

[VegasWolf]

10. Difference between Northern and Western Republicans and those

Southern ones?

[donheld]

12. This is very good news

I hope this catches on.

[Erika]

14. Idaho now has a lesbian legislator for the 1st time

She's a hard working social minded educator and a first class lady.

Our hope is that the far right wingers will get to know her and realize she is a first class citizen in every way. It's harder to deny rights to fellow citizens and tax payers who you get to know and respect.