In the wake of the historic ruling from the New Jersey Supreme Court today that has opened the door to full marriage equality for New Jersey same-sex couples and their families (story here), we thought it would be a good idea to keep you up-to-date on the eight constitutional amendments coming up in other states across the nation.

Currently, eight states will vote on ban-gay-marriage amendments in November, following 20 that previously approved such measures. Passage is considered nearly certain in Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee, but many believe the fights in Arizona, Colorado, Virginia and Wisconsin could be possible wins for equality.

Unfortunately, because of the fantastic news out of New Jersey today, the anti-GLBT extremists groups have issued statements to their supporters using the ruling as a means of solidifying their base in these swing states.

Some of the statements included things some of the following. Remember folks, this is what we are fighting, this is why each and every one of us needs to remember to Vote on November 7th. Vote Smart. Vote OUT. Vote Equality.

From the "family Research Council":
"The legislature should ignore this ruling and follow the lead of 20 other states that have already passed marriage amendments," says FRC's Tony Perkins.

"Today's decision should give momentum to the eight states with marriage protection amendments on the November ballot. By mandating that the New Jersey legislature enact same-sex 'marriage' or civil unions, the Court ignores the unique benefits of marriage between one man and one woman. Society gives benefits to marriage because marriage gives benefits to society. This decision is out of step with the recent string of court decisions upholding the rational basis for traditional marriage in promoting the well-being of children.

"This ruling gives the legislature the non-choice of creating same-sex 'marriage' or marriage of the same-sex by civil unions. This is nothing more than an act of veiled judicial activism. As in Massachusetts and Vermont, the New Jersey Supreme Court has acted as a super-legislature imposing their will on the people of New Jersey. The legislature should ignore this ruling and follow the lead of 20 other states that have already passed marriage amendments."

From "Concerned Women of America":
"This is a textbook example of agenda-driven judges who are willing to twist their state laws and invade the province of the legislative branch in order to force same-sex 'marriage' on the people of New Jersey," LaRue said. "The court snubbed its nose at 28 separate statute sections that include a specific reference to either the term 'married woman' and a 'married man' or to the term 'husband and wife.' Because New Jersey has no residency requirement for marriage, if the legislature caves in to the court, it could open the door for lawsuits challenging every state's marriage law."

"New Jersey has now given citizens greater reason to vote on November 7 to protect marriage in the 8 states with referendums on the ballot," said Wendy Wright, CWA's President. "The New Jersey Supreme Court has distinguished itself once again for imposing its own form of discrimination by arrogantly declaring that a woman is not needed to make a marriage, or that a man is not.

"The thirty-year experiment of treating marriage as expendable, by making divorce easy and children fatherless, has proven to be a disaster for women, children and society. This should provide enough evidence for courts and legislators to quit abusing marriage by pretending it is less important or demanding than it is. It's utter discrimination to claim a woman is unnecessary, or a man is unnecessary, to make a marriage. We should not be forced, or children subjected to, another social experiment with marriage simply to make individuals personally satisfied."

Sickening statements from groups who claim to be pro-family and pro-marriage. I want to remind everyone that first and foremost you need to vote here in Oregon for pro-equality candidates (visit www.VoteEquality.com for a complete endorsement list of legislative races in Oregon), second, call family, friends, etc in Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Arizona, Colorado, Virginia and Wisconsin and urge them to vote NO on these anti-GLBT constitutional amendments.

Resources fighting these proposed amendments:
Arizona Together
Colorado: No on 43
Fair Wisconsin
Virginia - Vote NO on 1

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 5:03 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.