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TechnoratiMIAMI - Supporters and opponents know Amendment 2 will be called the "gay marriage amendment," but neither see it that way. They also agree that the vote will be close, but that's about it.
Amendment 2 would do one thing, supporters say - define marriage as between a man and a woman in the state constitution. Opponents argue that the amendment is unnecessary because there is already a state law banning same-sex "marriage" and that its vague wording would create unintented consequences for gay and straight couples.
Amendment 2 is the only citizen-sponsored amendment on the Nov. 4 ballot - the others were placed by the Legislature and a tax commission. Like the other amendments, it needs 60 percent support to pass.
"I think it's clearly the most important of all the amendments. I think both sides would say that," Yes2Marriage.org state chairman John Stemberger said.
Stemberger and his supporters' argument for the amendment is straightforward. Florida is one of more than 40 states with laws defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, but that isn't sufficient. They want Florida to join 27 other states that specifically define marriage in their consitutions. That would help prevent court rulings allowing same-sex "marriage" like those in Massachusetts, California, and, recently, Connecticut.
Backers, with strong support from churches and religious groups, have been working since 2005 to get the amendment on the ballot. Some opponents say the amendment is a way to get conservative voters to the polls for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, but supporters say they simply want to preserve marriage as it's currently defined.
"There are profound social, legal and moral implications when once you unlock the door and say 'You're loving and committed, you can get married,'" Stemberger said. "How do we say no to polygamists and group marriage?
"This is not about hating gay people or not liking anyone. It's about understanding the implications of redefining marriage in the wider culture."
Opponents, meanwhile, include the League of Women Voters of Florida, Florida Firefighters, the NAACP and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans. They argue that the amendment's vague wording would create problems for some unmarried couples, potentially stripping them of health care and other benefits.
"Had they offered an amendment that only defined marriage as a man and a woman then they would get a debate about whether that was a good idea, but instead they offered Amendment 2," said Derek Newton, campaign manager for Florida Red and Blue's "SayNo2" campaign opposing the amendment.
Newton says the first part of the amendment "Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife" isn't the problem. It's the second part of amendment - "no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized" - that he says is dangerous. That language would outlaw domestic partnerships offered by some counties and private companies, he says.
Opponents say more than 10,000 couples have signed up on domestic partnership registries created by cities or counties statewide. Those registries give same-sex couples and heterosexual couples like Newton and his girlfriend rights like being able to see each other in hospitals. Some elderly couples register as domestic partners because if they marry they would lose Social Security or other benefits from a deceased or divorced spouse. Continue »
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