Debate Rages Over same-Sex marriage In Several States as polls show growing support

http://www.dallasvoice.com/gayrelationship-debates-hit-crucial-turn-1078259.html


PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — A flurry of activity in efforts to legally recognize gay relationships or ban same-sex marriage is reminding advocates that even though polls indicate growing acceptance, the debate is far from settled in U.S. states.

Rhode Island is pondering a proposal to allow civil unions, a compromise that arose after it became clear there weren’t enough votes in the state legislature to approve same-sex marriage. Minnesota lawmakers voted to put a constitutional marriage ban on the ballot, and the mayor of New York spoke out strongly in favor of same-sex marriage as talks continue in his state.

In Rhode Island, gay marriage advocates say they’re unsatisfied with the proposal to offer civil unions, which provide many of the same legal benefits of marriage without calling it that.

“There’s a special status when you say ‘my wife,’ and civil unions don’t give that,” said Annie Cronin-Silva, of West Warwick, who married a woman in neighboring Massachusetts in 2008. “But things are changing. It’s coming. It’s just so hard to wait.”

Gay marriage is allowed in Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. Several other states offer civil unions or domestic partnerships instead. Illinois, Delaware and Hawaii enacted civil unions this year. The debate continues to rage in several other states.

And, it's a mixed bag. I like the national trends public polls are picking up, though. Public opinion is obviously ahead of extremist political groups that work to parlay irrational fear messages into votes.

My take - public consensus will eventually move the political process. Eventually...

:hi:

They won't be able to ignore us forever.

:thumbsup:

this debate to the abortion debate. She points out that 40 years after Roe, the anti-abortion crowd still is fighting and winning battles. I don't see the gay marriage one going that way though. Every other gay issue has increased in support over the years and marriage will be the same.

...what would the framers think?