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Kentucky Equality Federation applauds pre-filed legislation to overturn Kentucky's same-sex barriage ban.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Contact: Public Relations Team
(877) KEF-5775 - Ext 1 (office)
Kentucky Equality
Federation applauds legislation pre-filed by
Representative Mary Lou Marzian (BR 93) to
place the issue of same-sex marriage or civil
unions back in the hands of Kentucky citizens.
Earlier this year, Kentucky Equality Federation
and Marriage Equality Kentucky began collecting
signatures to present to lawmakers to repeal
the law by giving voters another opportunity to
vote on the issue. The "Marriage
Declaration," started in July 2009.
Currently, the Commonwealth will not
recognize any type of same-sex union. Marriage,
domestic partnerships, and civil unions are all
illegal in Kentucky (even if performed in other
countries or states).
"We are very pleased with Representative
Marzain's pre-filed bill," stated Kentucky
Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.
"Currently, same-sex couples are basically
'second-class' citizens even though we pay the
same taxes as everyone else; same-sex couples
currently have absolutely no rights whatsoever
and the Kentucky Constitution doesn't mention
having a lower class of people. If this
passes both the Kentucky House and Senate and
voters ratify it, lawmakers would then be able
to legislate domestic-partnerships, or civil
unions, such as the new domestic partnership
law in the state of Washington."
Legislation was also filed this year to repeal
Michigan’s Constitutional Amendment banning
same-sex marriage.
Palmer continued, "We could certainly reach a
compromise with domestic partnerships or civil
unions. Being able to file joint income-tax
returns, having hospital visitation rights,
making medical decisions for your partner,
spousal privilege, the right to inherit
property, and many
other benefits are the very foundation of
any union. Same-sex couples are not asking for
special treatment, we simple want to be treated
equal; we love, honor, and cherish our partners
the same as heterosexual couples."
"I realize some will turn this into a religious
debate, but we have separate of church and
state; the Kentucky Constitution clearly states
'absolute and
arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and
property of freemen exists nowhere in a
republic, not even in the largest
majority,' and that is exactly what
Section 223A of the Constitution has done. The
Constitution also states 'the civil rights,
privileges or capacities of no person shall be
taken away, or in anywise diminished or
enlarged, on account of his belief or disbelief
of any religious tenet, dogma or
teaching.'"
Comments
Kentucky has been one of the startes in history who has provided rights for minorities long before any other state inthe south in its history. Let us not for get that this state was founded my the native americans who gave it it's name.
We also was one of the first southern states to give equal rights to balcks in slavery says, As well as women to vote and be treated equally.
The wording on the bill should smply say: Yes I agree to equal rights ' or No I do not agree to equal rights
any other legal wordage would simply make it confussing for most people to under stand wht they are voting for. those who agree may think they are vorting yes when actually the would be voting No.
So make it simple to understand on teh bill when it goes to the people to vote on PLEASE