I know the Amendment 2 was proposed some time ago, but it's on the ballot this year, and with the elections coming up, things are getting heated and we need everyone out there to go and vote. Plus, even if people have heard about the amendment to the Florida Constitution banning same-sex marriage, they may not know the details or which amendment it is, and every Floridian needs to know which one it is so they can vote No to it in November.
I support the campaign to Say No 2 Amendment 2 in Florida and I ask you to do the same. Help protect Floridians from the "Marriage Protection Amendment". Amendment 2 would institutionalize in Florida’s Constitution a permanent prohibition against people having personal partnership rights unless they are in a legally sanctioned, narrowly defined heterosexual marriage. The amendment could also deny hospital visitation, health care and survivorship rights to any unmarried or same sex partners in Florida. Sign the pledge today!
http://www.sayno2.com/pledge
Quick Facts
The Amendment: "Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."
The amendment will be on the November, 2008 ballot.
It requires 60% approval to be adopted.
Consequences: Similar amendments in other states are being used to take away benefits from public employees (Kentucky, for instance), and dissolve domestic partnership registries used to provide health care benefits and pensions (in Michigan).
Broward and Palm Beach Counties and the cities of Tampa, Gainesville and Miami Beach, among others, offer Domestic Partnership Registries. Most Florida universities and more than half of Fortune 500 companies offer Domestic Partnership benefits. These benefits would be placed at risk, if not outright abolished, if this amendment passes.
Every unmarried Floridian will be impacted by this amendment - especially divorced or widowed seniors and public employees who, under existing programs, can share some benefits such as hospital visitation privileges and health care coverage without being married.
Florida Red and Blue: Say No 2 is a bi-partisan campaign with only one objective:
defeating the "marriage protection amendment." With a strong, diverse and bi-partisan Board of leaders from Key West to Tallahassee, Florida Red and Blue has already raised millions of dollars and secured public support from hundreds of elected officials, social and religious leaders and organizations.
Say No 2 respects the commitment of our donors, volunteers and supporters by running a campaign based on the best research, advice and experience available.
6 Reasons to Say No 2
- Taking Away Benefits
Amendment 2 could take away existing benefits from all unmarried Floridians
- Hurting Seniors
Amendment 2 could force seniors to choose between important benefits like sharing health care and important government benefits.
- "Gay Marriage" Bait & Switch
Amendment 2 claims to ban "gay marriage" but Florida already has multiple laws banning same-sex marriage
- Massive Government Intrusion
Amendment 2 puts the government where it doesn't belong - regulating the personal relationships of Floridians
- Hiring Expensive Lawyers
Amendment 2 could force unmarried Floridians to hire expensive private lawyers just to protect their basic legal rights
- Dramatic Consequences
Amendment 2 could take away job benefits from university employees and be used as a defense to domestic violence - as in other states which passed similar amendments
Why Amendment 2 is Unnecessary.
Amendment 2 is not needed. Why?
Because same-sex marriage is already illegal in Florida.
Not once. Or even twice.
But four times!
From Florida Statute 741.212 (1):
"Marriages between persons of the same sex entered into in any jurisdiction ... domestic or foreign ... or relationships between persons of the same sex, which are treated as marriages in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction ... or any other place or location, are not recognized for any purpose in this state."
From Florida Statute 741.212 (2):
"The state, its agencies, and its political subdivisions may not give effect to any public act, record or judicial proceeding of any state, territory, possession, or tribe of the United States or of any other jurisdiction ... domestic or foreign, or any other place or location respecting either a marriage or relationship not recognized under subsection (1) or a claim arising from such a marriage or relationship."
From Florida Statute 741.212 (3):
"For purposes of interpreting any state statute or rule, the term 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the term 'spouse' applies only to a member of such a union."
And just for good measure...
Florida Statute 741.04 (1) prohibits any judge or clerk of the court from issuing a marriage license "unless one party is a male and the other party is a female."
It is already against the law four times. So you have to wonder:
What is Amendment 2 really about? All text provided by http://www.sayno2.com ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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phyrra was kind enough to give me the questions, so I'm answering them. I will, however, send anyone the questions even if they don't want to play the game, because I can. ![[info]](https://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
leora
