Text 2394, 62 rader
Skriven 2004-09-19 06:57:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: Gay Marriage
====================
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,132825,00.html

Louisiana Bans Gay Marriages, Civil Unions
Sunday, September 19, 2004

NEW ORLEANS   Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional
amendment Saturday banning same-sex marriages (search) and civil unions
(search), one of up to 12 such measures on the ballot around the country this
year.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment was winning approval with
78 percent of the vote, and support for it was evident statewide. Only in New
Orleans, home to a politically st had conducted an intense grassroots lobbying
campaign for the amendment, which had been expected to pass easily. The civil
rights group Forum for Equality (search) had already promised legal action
against it.

"It's gratifying to see the people of Louisiana had an opportunity, as
distinguished from judges, having the final say on the issue of whether
traditional marriage will continue to be the fundamental institution in our
state," said Darrell White, a retired state judge and consultant for Louisiana
Family Forum, which pushed for the amendment.

John Rawls, a lawyer for Forum for Equality, reiterated the group's contention
that the amendment does far more than stop gay marriage and that it could
affect many private contracts between unmarried couples, gay or straight  a
claim its supporters dispute.

"I am disappointed that so many Louisianians either did not read the amendment
or are so afraid of gays that they voted for this amendment anyway," Rawls
said.

Louisiana already has a law stating that marriage can be only between a man and
woman, but supporters of the amendment want to protect that law in the
Constitution. The amendment also would prohibit state officials and courts from
recognizing out-of-state marriages and civil unions between homosexuals.

Rawls said there were many possible grounds for challenging the results in
state and federal court. One appeared Saturday, when voting machines were
delivered late to some New Orleans precincts, keeping some from casting ballots
for hours.

State director of elections Frances Sims said at least 59 precincts did not
have voting machines when polls opened because officials with New Orleans'
clerk of court's office failed to meet drivers who tried to deliver the
machines earlier that morning. The problem was solved by midday.

Julius Green, 58, said he went to his polling place in New Orleans' Bywater
neighborhood about 10 a.m. and found no voting machines  just a crowd.

"This is ridiculous," Green said. "It makes people feel that their vote don't
count."

Advocates of the amendment and its opponents agreed it will be up to the courts
to decide exactly what the measure does and does not do.

Similar amendments to ban same-sex marriage are on ballots in Arkansas,
Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma,
Oregon and Utah. Petitions in Ohio are still being verified.

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