From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Thu, 9 May 1996 16:07:24 -0400 Subject: NGLTF ANTI-MARRIAGE UPDATE ************************************ PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 tconaty@ngltf.org ************************************ NGLTF ANTI-MARRIAGE UPDATE ALASKA BECOMES 8TH STATE BANNING GAY MARRIAGE FEDERAL ANTI-MARRIAGE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED Washington, D.C., May 9, 1996...The U.S. House of Representatives inserted itself into the fray of the same-gender marriage debate yesterday when Representative Bob Barr (R-GA) introduced H.R. 3396, the Defense of Marriage Act. The bill would create a federal definition of marriage that would exclude same-gender couples. Under the measure, states would not have to abide by the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution and recognize the legal marriages of same-gender couples. Same-gender marriage is not currently legal anywhere in the United States. The more than thirty measures introduced in state legislatures across the country this year and this U.S. House bill are in reaction to a Hawaii legal case that is at least two years away from winding its way through the courts. Many legal experts believe the case will ultimately provide same-gender couples access to the legal contract of marriage in Hawaii. "This is clearly a mean spirited election year ploy," stated NGLTF Executive Director Melinda Paras. "The treatment of this Congressional measure will give a real indication of whether Presidential Candidate Dole and the Republican Party will embrace the extremist agenda of Pat Buchanan," added Paras. Historically, the issue of marriage and the granting of marriage licenses has been left to the states. Should Hawaii legalize same-gender marriage, anti-gay marriage laws are likely to ensure costly legal chaos. Same-gender couples legally married in one state, may not be legally married in other states. When crossing state lines, legally married same-gender couples could have their rights as a married couple, such as hospital visitation, filing joint tax returns, access to joint insurance policies, etc., denied them, depending on what state they are in. "We resent that the Halls of Congress are being used once again to promote the agenda of a small band of narrow-minded extremists in this country," said Paras. -- more -- At the state level this week, Alaska became the eighth state to ban the recognition of same gender marriage. Governor Tony Knowles let SB 308 pass into law without his signature. Action on Alabama's anti-marriage was "indefinitely postponed," effectively killing the measure for the remainder of the Alabama legislative year, which ends May 22. The eight states that ban recognition of same-gender marriage are AK, AZ, GA, ID, KS, OK, SD, and UT. States with anti-marriage legislation still pending are CA, DE, IL, MI, MO, NY, SC, and TN. In Seventeen states this year, anti-marriage legislation was introduced, but has since been defeated, withdrawn, or killed. Those states are AL, CO, FL, HI, IA, KY, ME, MD, MN, MS, NM, RI, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY. Activists interested in obtaining a copy of the NGLTF Marriage Map (free) or NGLTF's marriage organizing manual, To Have and To Hold ($10), should contact Tracey Conaty at the number listed above. Those interested in obtaining talking points on same-gender marriage and other materials should contact Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund at (212) 995-8585. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. ###