It's back, and worse than before.

[Zerbie]

Please pray that it goes away so that we will not have to fight it again. :(
:pray:

Today, certain conservatives in the AZ state legislature introduced a referendum to put an amendment to the constitution before voters stating that marriage is only between a man and a woman. They took out the complicating issue of domestic partner benefits and are now focused ONLY on denying equal protections to same sex couples. :'(

I have tried, without success, to find further details than this - such as when they would expect this to be on the ballot. I am a bit surprised that I did not find more information. The info I've just cited to you arrived in my inbox directly from AZ's conservative policy institute - I subscribe to their newsletters.

[antonyh]

Please pray that it goes away so that we will not have to fight it again. :(
:pray:

Today, certain conservatives in the AZ state legislature introduced a referendum to put an amendment to the constitution before voters stating that marriage is only between a man and a woman. They took out the complicating issue of domestic partner benefits and are now focused ONLY on denying equal protections to same sex couples. :'(

I have tried, without success, to find further details than this - such as when they would expect this to be on the ballot. I am a bit surprised that I did not find more information. The info I've just cited to you arrived in my inbox directly from AZ's conservative policy institute - I subscribe to their newsletters.

These idiots need to get a life.

Rant over.

Sorry to hear :love:

[Zerbie]

Some other folk are already spreading the word.

It is being discussed also here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/11/20057/6789

And here is the blurb in the Arizona Republic.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0211samesex-marriage0211-ON.html

[Kiwibird83]

/Sigh

Just when I was getting some renewed faith in the AZ legislation, lets hope we can vote this one down as well. :pray:

[Emproph]

I heard about this too but I didn't mention it because I couldn't find any corroborating info on it either.

It looks like the only option this time may be to elucidate the fact that this really IS an anti-gay measure. And thus one that is sheerly based on hatred.

[Zerbie]

The director of Equality AZ made wonderful points about why this new proposal deserves to wither away. If I can sum it up:

The people of AZ have already made their voices heard and they have overwhelmingly rejected putting discrimination into the state constitution. This proposal is the work of an extremist fringe. Those extremists ought to fund their attempt on their own dime rather than do so with taxpayer money (and I assume that latter point refers to the fact that time = money and this proposal is occupying the time of our state legislators who should be able to focus on REAL problems and real solutions.)

[Zerbie]

More media coverage of the new proposal:

http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/224589

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNbSV6pukrmaX7EWJp6-Q83CkVJQD8UOE50G0

http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=729492

[drewcaine]

It's times like this that I wish God would make me a mercenary...
drewcaine

[Zerbie]

Errr, go to the gym and hit a punching bag til you're tired, then eat something and chill in front of the TV. ?

Seriously. When I campaigned against the first marriage amendment, I was in the weight room ALL the time, taking out my anger on barbells. Ya know? I did get in really good shape and developed a lot of strength during that time.

[Zerbie]

It may now be gone. It *is* gone for the moment.

:weee::weee::weee::rainbow:
Check out this article!! (And for those who may not have known, I want to be Kyrsten Sinema when I grow up. :D:pray:)

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/03/20080403marriage-measure0403-ON.html

[Vanessa White]

As I have become involved in information on the political end here in PA., I become more and more amazed how subtle changes to a piece of legislation make it dead in the water or blazing forward.

Your posts are very interesting, about having difficulty finding it at first; I had the same challenge when they were first introducing what is now known as SB 1250 here, because they were keeping it quiet I guess.

Let us continue to hope and pray that this stays down this time....:pray:

[Zerbie]

Thanks Vanessa.

Stayed tuned, all. I just this moment opened an email from our conservative policy group stating that they will by hook or by crook get the marriage amendment on the ballot in November. So, for the moment, we stopped it, but they plan to try again.