Indiana Senate says "no" to Same Sex Marriage

[Louisianagrl]

Patty Bouvier won't be getting married here...

The Indiana Senate is on record in favor of a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages. Yesterday afternoon's vote was the first hurdle in a long process by senators like Republican Brandt Hershman of Monticello, who want to bolster an existing law that supports marriage. Hershman says the goal of the amendment is to define marriage between one man and one woman as a "social ideal."

Senator Anita Bowser, a Michigan City Democrat, says heterosexual marriages are not in jeopardy.

The bill now heads for the Indiana House, where a similar one died last session. Governor Mitch Daniels supports the public deciding the issue through a referendum. However, that decision is not likely to come until at least the 2008 election at the earliest.

I am not allowed an opinion because of my job, but I wonder when the divorce ban is coming....especially with the current divorce rate in this country...

[despondent]

I am not allowed an opinion because of my job, but I wonder when the divorce ban is coming....especially with the current divorce rate in this country...
That would seem to be the next logical step, but this whole issue never has been about marriage and people need to wake up and see what these legislators are really doing.

[classicgrrl]

That would seem to be the next logical step, but this whole issue never has been about marriage and people need to wake up and see what these legislators are really doing.


ding ding ding
Houston we have a winner.

sometime agos someone came up with the brilliant idea of having a vote to deterine whether or no we will pay our elected officials' salaries with each issue they tackle. I propose we put this into motion.

[foolsgold]

I kind of want to make a 'stiff upper lip' joke, but will refrain. Either, the world marches on, while the U.S. 'protects' its citizens against the evil hordes of gay recruiters...I mean, married homosexuals.

Britain to allow same-sex civil unions here (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apeurope_story.asp?category=1103&slug=Britain%20Gay%20Partnerships)

By SUE LEEMAN

LONDON -- Same-sex partners in Britain will be able to enter into civil unions from December, joining gays in parts of Europe and the United States in obtaining many of the rights enjoyed by married people, the government said Monday.

The Civil Partnerships Bill passed by Parliament last year gives same-sex couples the right to form legally binding partnerships and entitles them to some of the same tax and pension rights married couples have.

Starting Dec. 5, couples will be able to notify the register office at their local council that they intend to form civil partnerships. After a 15-day waiting period, they will sign an official partnership document in front of witnesses.

"This legislation is going to make a real difference to these couples and it demonstrates the government's commitment to equality and social justice," said Deputy Minister for Women and Equality Jacqui Smith.

"It opens the way to respect, recognition and justice for those who have been denied it for too long."

The government said some register offices have already started receiving inquiries from same-sex couples.

Separately Monday, the armed services said they will allow same-sex couples with registered partnerships to share family quarters.

"We will be complying with the law. We are obliged to give equal treatment to gay and lesbian partnerships" under the new act, said Royal Navy spokesman Anton Hanney, adding that same-sex couples in the armed services already enjoy equal pension rights.

The new act does not use the term "marriage," but among other benefits it grants same-sex couples rights to their partners' pensions; gives them next-of-kin status; and exempts them from paying inheritance tax on a partner's home. It also will require partners to provide maintenance for each other and any children in the case of a break-up.

Partners will be able to dissolve the agreement in a form of divorce settlement.

Officials at the Department of Trade and Industry estimate there will be more than 42,000 same-sex partnership agreements in place by 2050.

"This is the moment we fought so hard for," said Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights group Stonewall. "At last, lesbian and gay couples can begin to plan their future lives together."

Nine European Union members allow same-sex partnerships, beginning with Denmark, which legislated for the unions in 1989.

In the United States, more than a dozen states recognize some form of domestic partnerships or civil unions, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but 11 states voted in November to ban gay marriage