Victory: No marriage ban in PA!

[keltic63]

You may recall that I was part of a demonstration in Harrisburg, back in March, to express our disagreement with PA's attempt to write discrimination into the state constitution by banning gay marriage. The bill failed to pass both legislatures which means the bill is now dead. I'm sure it will be reintroduced, but this is a setback for anti-gay groups who want such laws passed!

read about it here! (http://www.center4civilrights.org/news/news_view.php?news_id=23)

[Zerbie]

Glad ta see it!

I think the day when those things passed without a hitch is gone for good. Keep workin', we're turning the tide!

:D

[Matt_in_PA]

Keltic...


http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/14811647.htm

According to this press release, does this new proposed amendment "validate" or "invalidate" domestic partnerships?

Thanx,

Matt

[Jennifer5]

I think Zerbie said it turning the tide... it's finally starting to happen!!! We just have to make sure that we don't make the classic mistake and stop trying just because it's going the right way... it can still turn back if we don't keep at. I don't think that's to much of an issue though. I'm so happy to hear it failed to pass. When you think about it, it really is a big set back, because all the people who are unsure middle people.... will just see that things are fine the way they are and work with us in the future probably!!!:weee: We're moving the right way for sure!!!:pray:

[Liberal Crozier]

The most important contributions made to the theocon preachers Robertson and Falwell by the billionaire rightwingnuts was the establishment of Regent and Liberty Universities. Along with Bob Jones and Oral Roberts Universities. Soon after, the graduate component was added, and the Law Schools were created with a mandate to create a legal landscape in their own image, and a legion of legal zealots to make it happen.

True, the PA landscape is mixed. Ed Rendell is a DLC/DINO governor with no great support for views that emanate from the left of his political party. He is the model of the blue-collar conservative Catholic Democrat. The US Senate Republicans - Specter the RINO who easily bends for theocons for his own Senate chair and power and of course and THAT ultra-theocon posterboy who probably will lose his seat to a DLC/DINO conservative Catholic Democrat whose father was a poster child for the Vatican. A Pyrrhic victory at best.

Maybe the PA legislature did not want to address a SECOND anti-gay marriage law after passing a DOMA, but to believe that the social base will stay home as a result strains my credulity. Neocon $$$ for flood business victims, immigration issues, and gay rights will have their own life force after Labour Day, when your election cycle goes into full swing.

Believe me, I want to see a House Speaker Pelosi and a Democratic liberal as majority leader. I want to see Senator Reid again assume the Majority Leader mantel. I am seriously afraid that the current House speaker and Senate majority leader will squeek out a majority of a few. The irony is that the House numbers are nearly equal. Majority means control of agenda and committees, which in your political system, as in others, creates the illusion that the Congress is totally Republican. Add the number of DINO and DLC conservative Democrats in both chambers who ALWAYS vote with the GOP on crucial issues, and you also have a numerative majority for the GOP on crucial votes. The LIBERAL WING of the Democratic Party is a MINORITY in both caucuses. Tragic.....and I pray for a change, but politically, I do NOT see it.

[keltic63]

Keltic...


http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/14811647.htm

According to this press release, does this new proposed amendment "validate" or "invalidate" domestic partnerships?

Thanx,

Matt

the original house bill invalidated even the possibility of domestic partnerships and civil unions. It was a bill so broadly written that persons in unmarried hetero relationships couldn't get protection from domestic abuse. sr. citizens could suffer in similar ways because so many choose to live together without getting married in order to keep their retirement/social security/insurance benefits.
the PA State house approved the bill, and it went on to the senate. the senate made changes in the bill so that it defined marriage as "one man one woman" but left open the possibility of civil unions (at some point) and domestic partnerships.
In order for the bill to make progress, the Senate needed to vote on its version by the end of this session (saturday night) and it did not do that. If they had, this version would have to go back to the House, and be voted on. Then it would have to happen again in the next session before it would finally be put to a public vote. So now, those who support the measure will have to start all over. And most likely, they will.

[Matt_in_PA]

Thanx for the insight, Keltic :)

Matt

[Lydia]

The bill failed to pass both legislatures which means the bill is now dead.

Great news.