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Fifteen Eighty Four

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5
Nov
2008

Gay Marriage Ban Too Close

Proposition 8 still hangs in the balance. Perhaps a more intriguing question: what happens if it passes? Or if it fails? I don’t expect this to end any time soon, and this shows the real allure that a US Constitutional amendment had for some people a few years back. On the flip side, a lot of people like Cambridge author Evan Gerstmann argue that the right to marry is a Constitutional guarantee. How long until the ultimate decision rests on the US Constitution?

From the Associated Press

Filed at 10:06 a.m. ET

‘LOS ANGELES (AP) — A proposed ban on same-sex marriage in California — widely seen as the most momentous of the 153 ballot measures at stake nationwide — remained undecided early Wednesday.

‘The proposed constitutional amendment would limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in state where gay unions are legal.

‘Sponsors of the ban declared victory early Wednesday, but the measure’s opponents said too many votes remained uncounted for the race to be called.

‘Even without the wait, gay rights activists had a rough day Tuesday. Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and gay rights forces suffered a loss in Arkansas, where voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target.’

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