Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 13:39:27 -0500
From: Babngltf@aol.com

 *************************************************National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:           Robert Bray          (415) 552-6448

                        Robin Kane          (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311
                                                   (800) 757-7736 pager
               

2320 17th Street NW   Washington, DC   20009
*************************************************

SOUTH DAKOTA MOVES TO BAN GAY MARRIAGE
 

Washington, D.C., February 2, 1995...A bill banning same-sex marriages has
sailed through the state legislature of South Dakota, setting up a battle
over same-sex unions that could have national implications.

 House Bill 1184, "An Act to prohibit a marriage between persons of the same
gender," was passed 54-13 today.  The bill was passed out of the House State
Affairs Committee 9-3 the day before.  Local gay activists, stunned by the
swiftness of the measure's movement, expect it to come up for Senate vote in
the very near future.

 The bill, which is only seven lines long, says, "Be it enacted by the
Legislature of the state of South Dakota...any marriage between persons of
the same gender is null and void."  The measure had 12 chief sponsors in the
House and has four in the Senate.

 During floor debate before passage in the House, legislators who supported
the marriage ban likened it to "making homosexuality illegal in South
Dakota," which they viewed as justification for its passage.  On a supportive
note,  Rep. Jack Billion of Sioux Falls valiantly took the floor to  oppose
the measure and challenge other legislators' negative opinions of
homosexuality.

 State Rep. Roger Hunt of Brandon, South Dakota., and lead sponsor of the
bill, is quoted in the Rapid City Journal as saying the measure was
introduced because of the "great economic expense" same-sex marriage could
bring to South Dakota.  "The bill would prevent one partner from homosexual
marriages from being added to certain health and life insurance policies."

 The measure also allows South Dakotans to ignore rights provided in other
states to homosexuals who have been legally married in their states, and then
move to South Dakota, stated the Rapid City Journal.  Currently, same-sex
marriage is being deliberated in the state of Hawaii.  A high court ruling in
that state is expected later this year or next year.  Should Hawaii rule in
favor of same-sex marriages, the question of whether or not those unions are
recognized in other states would be raised to the forefront.

 "Clearly this is a preemptive strike against recognition of our loving
unions," said Robert Bray, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force  (NGLTF) Fight
the Right organizer. NGLTF is assisting Rapid City activists in battling the
measure and organizing against the growing Radical Right.  "We need to take
this opportunity to educate South Dakota and society at large that this is
about our equal right to marry the one we love and care for, just as non-gay
Americans do, and to have the same responsibilities and benefits."


 "All South Dakotans who support tolerance and civil rights are appalled by
our legislature's speed in passing this bill through committee," said Barry
Wick, a gay activist near Rapid City who is forming a new group called the
South Dakota Gay and Lesbian Federation. " This adds fuel to the fires of
harassment we face.  South Dakotans are more civilized than this."

 There is only a fledgling, if any, gay/lesbian/bisexual movement in South
Dakota.  Local activists have appealed for assistance in stopping the
marriage bill.  The bill must still move through additional Senate votes then
go to the governor for signature.

 Write, fax, e-mail or phone the governor and urge him not to support or sign
the measure should it pass the legislature.  Governor Bill Janklow, 500 E.
Capital Ave., Pierre, SD, 57501; phone (605)773-3212; fax (605)773-4711;
billj@gov.sd.state.us..  Also contact Senate Majority Whip Richard Negstad at
(605)773-3851; House Majority Whip Roy Letellier, (605)773-3851; or
supportive representative Jack Billion at the same address as the governor.
 Letters of support may be sent to Barry Wick, South Dakota Gay and Lesbian
Federation, 13121 S. Creekview Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702-0245, phone
(605)341-0245.

 For more information contact Robert Bray, NGLTF Fight the Right Project,
(415)552-6448, rfbngltf@aol.com.  For gay marriage information contact Evan
Wolfson, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, (212)995-8585.

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