Posted on 04/06/2005 12:28:17 AM PDT by Pikamax
Kansas Voters Approve Ban on Gay Unions
2 hours, 20 minutes ago U.S. National - AP
By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press Writer
TOPEKA, Kan. - Voters in Kansas overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday banning same-sex couples from marrying or entering into civil unions.
With 97 percent of the vote reported, 395,468, or 71 percent, voted "yes," and 163,766, or 29 percent, voted "no."
Gay marriage is already banned under Kansas law, and the law is not being challenged. But supporters of the ballot measure said the ban must be in the Kansas Constitution to insulate it from legal challenge.
Most voters appeared to brush aside critics' arguments that the amendment could have unexpected consequences, such as preventing companies from offering health benefits to employees' partners, gay or heterosexual.
"The way marriage is in the Bible, God says it's between man and woman," said Sharon Kent, 58, of the Kansas City suburb of Mission. "I don't have a problem with gays being together, living together, but I have a problem with them getting married."
Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said the vote was not surprising, given results in other states.
"What is appalling is the continued silence and inaction of people of faith and people of goodwill to speak out, to stand up to this wave of attacks against gay people," he said.
The Rev. Terry Fox, senior pastor at Wichita's Immanuel Baptist Church and a leader of the campaign for the proposal, said he expects opponents to challenge the amendment in court, though he is confident it will stand up.
"We always felt like if Kansans were given an opportunity to vote, they would vote strongly to protect marriage and defend marriage in the way it has traditionally been defined," Fox said. "The real winner here was marriage itself."
Republican state Attorney General Phill Kline had said the amendment was "an unfortunate, necessary reaction to activist courts."
Among the opponents was Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who said she supported the existing state law and viewed it as sufficient.
"I don't think we need a constitutional amendment, and particularly a constitutional amendment that goes far beyond the bounds of that law," she said.
Kansas became the 18th state with such a prohibition in its constitution. Alabama, South Dakota and Tennessee plan elections next year on constitutional bans, and proposals are pending in 13 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Meanwhile, Connecticut's Senate was prepared to vote Wednesday on a bill that would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. The bill has broad support in both Democratic-controlled chambers of the Legislature.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Time to pack up the car and move to Kansas.
And some Federal Judge is sitting out their saying 'how dare they vote like this, then they will change the outcome in a judges chamber.
Homosexual Agenda Ping.
Aha - "gay" marriage going down in flames. You gotta love it.
I like it better when it's 80%-20%, but this is good enough.
Let DirtyHarryY2K and me know if you want on/off this pinglist.
Anyone know if the language also prohibits civil unions?
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Yet another reason why the liberal/leftists are anxious to turn our country into a judicial fiefdom.
The primary paper of central Kansas, The Wichita Eagle, reliably complained about the amendment proposal and insisted several times in its editorial and stories that we vote "no".
What need have we of referendum? What need have we of legislatures and legislators? Indeed, what need have we of an Executive branch??
I have surmised that the only usefulness of the citizenry and their elected representatives is limited to their work in enforcing the desires and rulings of the real arbiters of all societal laws:
...But...but...are they sure?!?
; p
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
K.C. don't wanna see those two rumpriders skippin down the the street........
"Homo, we're not in Kansas anymore."
BBV strikes again! Contact Bev Harri$!!
Way to go Kansas!
Some time around World War Twice my father and his father
moved to Colorado from Kansas-- I f Colorado's Congress
doesn't quit pandering to the queers I may just move back
to Kansas.Do like my homoe State- but I hate their government.
I hope they do, and I hope they hand pick a judge who grants the motion...that, more than anything else, will show the problem of judicial activism..
71% to 29%? I'm surprised it was that close.
How long before some liberal judge overturns it?
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