Jax Times Union Opinion: Anti-gay 'marriage' plan should go down in defeat

Anti-gay 'marriage' plan should go down in defeat

By RON LITTLEPAGE, The Times-Union

Amendment 2 is the most controversial of the six proposed constitutional amendments on the general election ballot.

The ballot title reads: "In as much as a marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

Those supporting the amendment argue its purpose is to protect the institution of marriage and provide a healthy home environment for children.

That's a smoke screen. The amendment is clearly anti-gay and yet another example of the Christian right trying to use government to push its values and intrude into people's private lives.

Those are two reasons I'm voting no. Another is the amendment isn't needed.

Florida Statute 741.212 already defines marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman "for the purpose of interpreting any state statute or rule."

It also says Florida won't recognize any same-sex union recognized by other states or countries.

Amendment proponents say they fear an activist judge will override that law, and that's why they want to insert the prohibition against same-sex unions into the state constitution.

In my view, the statute is bad enough, but the amendment would go even further.

The clause "or substantial equivalent thereof" opens the door for the same anti-gay activists to challenge domestic partnerships that are recognized by some local governments and governmental institutions.

As stated above, the government should keep its nose out of people's private lives.

If churches only want to recognize marriages between one man and one woman, that's understandable and their right.

Those are the only marriages they should bless.

But the state shouldn't discriminate against one domestic partnership while recognizing another.

If the amendment passes, it could open a can of worms that could affect the legal rights of all Floridans, not just same sex couples, involving such issues as estate planning, hospital visitation, even alimony.

There's a lot of money being poured into this campaign, both for and against the amendment.

If you have access to the Internet, you can see what both sides are saying by going to their Web sites.

The proponents' site is at www.yes2-marriage.org; the opponents' is at www.say-no2.com.

Of course, if you Google "Florida Amendment 2," you will find numerous other sites with plenty of pros and cons.

For the amendment to become part of the state constitution, 60 percent of the voters will have to approve.

A Quinnipiac University poll found support among Florida voters was just shy of that threshold.

The general election ballot is long. Make sure your voice is heard on Amendment 2.

ron.littlepage@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4284