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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyFebruary 6th, 2009
Today the Wyoming House determined that it would not put an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment on the ballot. (AP)
The Wyoming House has voted down a bill that would have allowed Wyoming voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution to deny state recognition of same-sex marriages.
Rep. Owen Petersen, R-Lyman, sponsored House Joint Resolution 17. It failed by a vote of 35-25 after frequently emotional debate that lasted more than an hour on Friday.
And according to Michael Petrelis, the House also defeated, by the same margin, a motion to ban the state from recognizing out-of-state gay marriages.
This is especially encouraging when one considers that Republicans have a 41 to 19 advantage over Democrats in the House.
UPDATE: According to the roll call vote, 16 Republicans joined all 19 Democrats to defeat this resolution.
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jOHN
February 6th, 2009
I wonder if the CA prop 8 situation had influence over this. Maybe this has brought the idea to peoples mind that this is America and all people deserve to be treated equally.
Trevor
February 6th, 2009
Trouble is until Wyoming passes a constitutional amendment PERMITING same-sex marriage it will always be brought up as a wedge issue.
cowboy
February 6th, 2009
I’m baffled too.. just a little. When you consider it is the State that spawned our Ex Vice President. But maybe, John, there might be other reasons:
1) their State’s motto is: Equal Rights.
2) they remember a certain Mr. Shepard.
3) Cowboys, by nature, are fair-minded people.
I can generalize with that last item. I know people in Pinedale and Jackson Hole who have proven that for me.
John
February 6th, 2009
Glad to hear it. A small step for sure, but a surprising one considering the state. As for Cheney, whatever one may criticize him for he has been supportive of his lesbian daughter and her partner. He also opposed FMA so I don’t see why his name was even raised.
Timothy Kincaid
February 6th, 2009
cowboy,
You may recall that our ex-Vice President was on record in opposition to the FMA and in favor of some form of couple recognition. He also though that the ban on gays in the military was a joke.
cowboy
February 6th, 2009
I do apologize for my cheap shot about Mr. Cheney.
I’m not privy to all the examples of his support to his lesbian daughter and partner.
Patrick
February 6th, 2009
Wyoming has a live and let live attitude. It received a lot of bad press (unfairly) because of the Matthew Shepard murder and Brokeback Mountain. In reality, the people of the state don’t like government getting involved in their lives – and this amendment did just that.
Wyoming is a great state and I enjoyed my 7 years there.
David C.
February 6th, 2009
Dare we even hope that we are actually on the down-side of the peak of anti-gay influence in state politics? Might we just by this example begin to see a gradual acceleration down that hill into a more moderate America, one that is actually reconnecting with the principals upon which is was founded and away from division and bigotry? Can it be that the end of the struggle by gay people for freedom and the same rights others have enjoyed since that foundation is at hand?
Probably not even close. Nevertheless, my congratulations to Wyoming’s House, and my thanks to them for the wisdom shown in defeating both measures.
KipEsquire
February 6th, 2009
“Wyoming has a live and let live attitude.”
Unless you’re Matthew Shepard.
Stefano A
February 6th, 2009
Unless . . .
You’re the victim of a hate crime for you sexual-orientation or gender identity.
You’re denied employment, housing, credit, or public services for your sexual orientation or gender identity.
You’re a LGBT student bullied in school.
And it’s up for grabs if you are LGBT and trying to adopt.
Stefano A
February 6th, 2009
And don’t forget, Wyoming still has a law in place that says only marriages between a man and a woman may be conducted in the state.
So, so much for that “live and let live” attitude eh?
jaysays
February 6th, 2009
Wow… in Wyoming even!
Regan DuCasse
February 7th, 2009
The first same sex commitment ceremony I attended was in WY.
The men who got married were friends of Matt Shepard.
They have been together for over twelve years.
It would cheer me so much were marriage legal in WY.
And perhaps Matt Shepard could rest a bit easier too.
Just sayin’…
Benjamin
February 8th, 2009
I love Wyoming! I’m a 4th generation Jackson Hole, Wyoming native and this decision by the Wyoming House makes me proud. It seems that the historic Jackson Hole motto of “live and let live” along with the Wyoming motto of “equality state” has finally begun to sink in on a state level. Brothers and sisters I know that the work that we as a community (locally and nationally) has paid off. I know that the Matt Shepard story has finally made many in Wyoming uncomfortable with gay bigotry. I also know that Wyoming people despise people from another state (i.e. Colorado’s Focus on the Family) calling in and trying to tell us what to do. The Focus on the Family b.s. won’t fly in Wyoming.
People are beginning to wake up. Let’s make sure they continue this journey and speak out loud for full equality for all LGBT people in the state of Wyoming. This state could surprise the whole nation.
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