VA Gov. Kaine Urges Voters to Reject Amendment (banning same-sex marriage)

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Kaine Urges Voters to Reject Amendment
By Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 11, 2006; Page B05

RICHMOND, April 10 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) said Monday that he will vote against a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage when it appears before Virginians in November because it could have far-reaching consequences for all unmarried couples in the state.

In a symbolic and rare action, the governor refused to sign the bill that places the language of the amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot, indicating that he opposes the measure but believes it should come before the electorate.

State law bans same-sex unions, but supporters of the constitutional amendment say it is necessary to clarify that Virginia is not compelled to recognize same-sex marriages or civil arrangements permitted in other states.

Kaine said that the amendment, which received final approval from the General Assembly this winter, was too vague because it reads in part that the Virginia Constitution should not recognize "another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage."...

***

Kaine added that he believes that marriage is between one man and one woman....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/10/AR2006041001665.html

[BR_Parkway]

1. What a chickenshit way to try to have it both ways. Typical politician

that the majority of this country can't stand.

If you think it's only 1 man/1 woman but don't want to restrict civil unions (treating all fairly) then veto the damn bill.

[HuffleClaw]

2. kerry said the same iirc

what i want to know is whatever happened to the bill of rights?

[atreides1]

3. Whatever happened to the Bill of Rights?

That document doesn't apply to same sex couples, just like it once didn't apply to black slaves, chinese laborers, or interracial couples.

The religious zealots are not Americans, and we should take every opportunity to point that out to them. They want their rights of shoving their religious beliefs down the throats of everyone else,
but are more then ready to deny rights to those that they hate.

[BR_Parkway]

5. Hence my reference to 'typical politician' - contrast their statements

(or should I call them pandering hedges) vs Russ Fiengold's the other day in his home state:

http://365gay.com/Newscon06/04/040406feingold.htm

In a meeting with constituents in Kenosha County in his home state, Feingold was asked if he supported a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to bar same-sex marriage and civil unions.

The measure was cleared last month and will be put to voters in November.

“The proposed ban on civil unions and marriage is a mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin and I indicated that it should be defeated,” Feingold replied to the questioner.

“It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities – our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. It would single out members of a particular group and forever deny them rights and protections granted to all other Wisconsin citizens. It would also outlaw civil unions and jeopardize many legal protections for all unmarried couples, whether of the same or the opposite sex. We shouldn’t enshrine this prejudice in our state’s Constitution.”

Feingold later went on to express his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

"Gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,” Feingold said.

“Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

[LostinVA]

4. The bad thing about this is that it can affect contracts, deeds, health

insurance, power of attorney, etc. It's really, really scary for some of us. To me, it's close to issuing us pink triangles, because it's very, very far reaching... and, I believe, totally Unconstitutional. Like this USSC would find it so...

I'm standing behind Kaine, though, and having faith in him....

btw -- Kaine is Catholic, so marriage is between one man and one woman. I don't care what the Church does -- you're only married if it's a religious ceremony, anyway, and I have no problem with that. I'm interested in changing secular law.