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.'"
2 comments:
Excited
ExcitedI hope this passes int he State of Kentucky. I to know that many will try to turn this into a religious debate. we are not asking for speical treatment. We just want the same treatment as any American in the United States.
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
Excited
Great job I am so excited. I hope these passes.
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