April 16, 2004
Florida fags fight for marriage
Could someone please tell me again how it is that allowing two people to marry will somehow undermine the institution of marriage? If the opponents of gay weddings are really so concerned about sanctity of marriage, why don't they fight for laws against divorce and adultery?
Six same-sex couples denied marriage licenses sued Thursday in an attempt to overturn state laws banning gay marriage, joining the national fray on the social issue in a politically pivotal state.Posted by Norwood at April 16, 2004 09:41 AMThe state circuit court suit was filed in Key West, a gay enclave far from Tallahassee and the Republican-dominated statehouse. Gov. Jeb Bush, brother of President Bush, supports a 1997 state law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and bans the recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
A similar lawsuit was filed in Fort Lauderdale in February, and court challenges are under way in six other states.
``A group of same-sex families came forward out of nothing more than their love for each other and their desire to be married and challenge the state's ban on their marriages,'' said Stratton Pollitzer, regional director of Equality Florida, which helped file the suit.
The Rev. Geoff Leonard- Robinson, pastor of Key West's Metropolitan Community Church, is one of the plaintiffs. He said he and his partner lose their sense of security when they leave ``wonderfully accepting'' Key West.
``We don't feel comfortable holding hands for fear of being verbally and even physically harassed,'' he said. ``Part of the reason I think people are comfortable demonstrating their bigotry is because our state government fosters it through discriminatory laws.''
