Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 18:12:36 -0700
From: Ron Buckmire <ron@abacus.oxy.edu>
Subject: Louisiana State Senate Fails To Pass Anti-Marriage Const. Amendment


Louisiana Electorate of Gays And Lesbians, Inc. (LEGAL)
PO Box 70344
New Orleans, LA 70172-0344
504-365-3105
legalinc@aol.co
http://members.aol.com/legalinc/

ANTI-MARRIAGE BILL (SB 37) FALLS SHORT OF TWO-THIRDS SUPPORT

The Anti-Marriage Bill (SB 37), authored by Sen. Phil Short, R-Covington,
fell short of passage today by a two vote margin. 

The bill, which would have amended the "Right to Individual Dignity" portion
of the Louisiana Constitution to deny recognition of marriages performed
validly between same-sex couples outside of the state, received a firestorm
of debate both pro and con that lasted almost a full hour before dying
24-8-7.

Proponents of the bill stated that is was necessary to protect the family and
traditional marriage. Opponents were concerned about the rise in hate cries
that a statewide vote on such a divisive issue could potentially create.

"The game is not over," said Brian Hartig, exective director of Louisiana
Electorate of Gays And Lesbians (LEGAL), "The bill can be brought up for
reconsideration at just about any time. So we've got to be on our toes and
continue to remind our legislators that this bill is simply unnecessary."

The authors of Senate Bill 37 can revisit the issue (through another vote) at
any point through to the end of the session. The author simply must request
that the bill be brought to the floor once again to be debated and voted on.

"And you can be certain that he (Sen. Short)'s going to make sure he has all
of his ducks in line before he does this," said Hartig. "Short will cut his
deals and get his votes lined up and then bring the bill up for a vote. So
we've got to recontact our legislators to make sure that they vote against
this bill."

The discussion on the bill brought forth some of the most vocal and heated
debate that the senate has seen this session as most speakers lined up to
oppose the bill. Only two senators spoke in favor of it (Jordan & Dyess), the
other "yes" votes preferring to remain quiet on the issue.

Voting For SB 37:
Barham, Branch, Cain, Campbell, Dardenne, Dyess, Ellington, Fields, Greene,
Hainkel, Heitmeier, Hines, Jordan, Lambert, Lentini, Malone, Romero,
Schedler, Short, Siracusa, Smith, Theunissen, Ullo, Mr. President (Ewing)

Voting Against SB 37:
Bagneris, Bean, Cox, Dean, Johnson, Jones, Landry, Robichaux

Not voting:
Bajoie, Casanova, Cravins, Guidry, Hollis, Irons, Tarver

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