GA Bans Gay Marriage

[Pangloss62]

I think I kinda agree with the post that said the word "marriage" makes for a more difficult situation, but here in GA they went out of their way to include the term "civil unions" as well, just to make sure. Our large AA population makes it extra difficult on this issue as homophobia is rampant among the majority of AAs. That is sad considering the shit they went/go through in terms of discrimination. The Democratic candidates have to really twist their language in knots when they're down here because the AAs will have none of that homo stuff.


Georgia's Top Court Reinstates Ban On Gay Marriage
POSTED: 3:03 pm EDT July 6, 2006

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage today. In reversing a Superior Court judge's ruling, the high court ruled unanimously that the ban did not violate the state's single-subject rule for ballot measures when it was approved by 76 percent of Georgia voters two years ago.

Neither the Supreme Court nor Superior Court Judge Constance Russell of Fulton County addressed the merits of gay marriage. Georgia already has a separate law on the books banning same-sex marriage in the state.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs had argued that the ballot language was misleading because it asked voters to decide on both same-sex marriage and civil unions -- separate issues about which many people had different opinions.

Governor Perdue had promised to call a special session of the Legislature next month if the court had not ruled by then. Perdue thanked the justices for the quick ruling, calling it "the best outcome of all."

Jack Senterfitt, lawyer for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which challenged the constitutional amendment, said he was disappointed with the ruling. But he said no further legal challenge is planned.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.