Posted on 11/11/2013 11:04:43 AM PST by SeekAndFind
A Hawaiian lesbian legislator has garnered national headlines last week for her decision to vote against a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the last state to join the Union.
Representative Jo Jordan is reportedly the first openly gay lawmaker in the United States to vote against a proposed legislation legalizing gay marriage.
Jordan's chief reason for opposing the legislation, Senate Bill 1, was that she believed the measure did not adequately protect religious liberty, as she explained in an interview with local media.
"The religious exemption was not adequate enough…I really am not happy with the exemptions. Too narrow," said Jordan to Honolulu Magazine
"I'm not here to protect the big churches or the little churches, I'm saying we can't erode what's currently out there. We don't want to scratch at the religious protections at all, because if we don't create a measure that's bulletproof, or as close to bulletproof as possible, then the measure will go to the courts."
Jordan also explained to Honolulu Magazine that for deciding to vote against SB 1 she was "blasted" by her peers in the LGBT community.
"I was blasted by the GLBT community on Saturday, outside the door. That took me aback. At the time, I hadn't stated my position, and I was still undecided," said Jordan.
"Maybe they feel they've been suppressed for so long that they no longer can contain it and they are just going to lash out at anything without thinking first. But I have to keep that faith to help me not take it personally."
Years before any state in the U.S. had legalized same-sex marriage, Hawaii had debated efforts to legally recognize same-sex unions. Past efforts have fallen short of success.
Last month, the Hawaiian Senate passed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in a vote of 20 yeas to 4 nays. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has stated he will sign the bill once it passes the Legislature.
Last week, the Hawaii House of Representatives passed SB 1 in a vote of 30 ayes to 19 nays, with two lawmakers abstaining.
Because the House made some changes to the legislation, the Senate will have to consider the bill once more. The Senate will likely consider the bill Tuesday.
Jim Hochberg, president of Hawaii Family Advocates, told The Christian Post in an earlier interview that he there are many problems with the fundamental reasoning behind SB 1.
"But marriage is not about what the two spouses are into. It's an institution of society. So marriage is not about what two adults want, it's about what children need. And what children need, from an optimum environment, is a mother and a father raising them," said Hochberg.
"The purpose of marriage, why the state supports opposite-sex coupling having children, is because that is where the next generation of hopefully civilized adults are raised."
If passed, gay couples in Hawaii can begin getting married on December 2.
A sincere hat tip. BTT
Kudos to someone for the ability to see beyond their own crotch.
Izzy, Izzy..for shame....
RE: She believed the measure did not adequately protect religious liberty
She’s right. If gays can sue bakers and photographers who refuse to service gay marriages because this is against their religious beliefs, then there is no religious protection at all.
I imagine much more of the LGBT community would find that they would have more genuine respect, despite whatever personal disagreements people had with them, if they even attempted to follow examples like these and not resort to state and above all federal backed strong arming. The rest of that community better be ready fro some severe backlash when they start to feel empowered enough to try and have their weddings in churches by force, presuming it hasn’t already happened int he US like ti has in the UK.
Fixed it.
These people had better watch out for what they wish. They’ll get it full bore...divorce courts and the whole deal.
I have to agree with you! A large part of my own dislike/distaste for all of the LGBT legislative efforts is their intolerance of others! That is exactly the thing THEY gripe about too! Having a religious conviction against something is NOT being a racist or a bigot - it is following your religious conscience!
The Big Kahunauana
Why is it you can always tell by the name?
Unfortunately, marriage redefinition only ratchets one way. Once marriage is redefined into unimaginable forms, it is there to stay, even if Hawaiians elect a 100% conservative government next election.
California proved that.
Guilty of having her own opinion instead of going along with GroupThink.
Well, she seems to be more realistic than most in realpolitik. The good thing is that she sees faith as a power to be reckoned with. Maybe some day faith will save her from lesbianism too.
Borrowing from another FReeper......if two lesbians decide to end their “marriage” and get a “divorce,” how the judge know to screw over?
Rep. Jordan gets it! Kudos to her.
Now if only Republicans supporting gay “marriage” would also understand the threat gay “marriage” is towards the 1st amendment
Well, this indeed speaks to the problem of govts sanctioning homosexual behavior — it forces the citizens to support and service the behavior. That ain’t right.
She is currently being trashed on Twitter by the gay gestapo. Disgusting. “Celebrate diversity” but heaven forbid she have a different opinion.
There IS no tolerance among them. Zero.
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