Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 22:51:14 -0500 From: TOMALHE@aol.com 2/2/95 The South Dakota Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Federation thanks everyone who has responded for their support, good vibes, wordy hugs, and verbose congratulations. Please note that an attempt to "hoghouse" came today. That's a South Dakota legislative term for joining the language of one bill to another bill in the case of HB 1184 the odiferous connotation is noted today. We dont believe efforts will be successful. Our observers are keeping us informed. This legislature is not over with until midnight, Saturday, March 4. Gays & lesbians are so odious to Rep. Roger Hunt and his cohorts that they will attempt anything to put this legislation on the books. Which may even include a proposition in the next election. A decision in Hawaii's "BAEHER V. LUWIN" may not even be forthcoming until 1997. That does not stop the proponents of such legislation from creating urgency through fear. The cattleman's greatest enemy is the stampede. Animals can be injured or stressed. Society's stampede created by these lightning bolts from the Right can only leave a number of us injured or stressed. What you do every day to educate people about yourself can only help all of us. Stand up, speak out, calm the stampeding herd... and for God's sake don't sing "Cool water." Try "It's Raining Men" or "She's A Big Boned Gal" by k.d. lang. And now direct to you from the Rapid City Journal, that bastion of free speech, here is today's article about yesterday's activities: the Rapid City Journal Thursday, March 2, 1995 MARRIAGE BAN FAILS IN SENATE By Bob Mercer Capital Bureau >>Proponents say fight for banning homosexual marriages not over in SD PIERRE - By a single vote, a ban against same sex marriages failed Wednesday in the South Dakota Senate. No other state in the nation explicitly prohibits gay or lesbian couples from marrying. Opponents of the ban warn that South Dakota likely would face a constitutional rights lawsuit that could cost $800,000 in legal expenses. Rep. Roger Hunt, the measure's main sponsor, said the fight wasn't over. Five senators were missing when the bill died 17-13 on a procedural vote, falling one supporter short of getting on the Senate calendar for debate. "We have a couple things still brewing," Hunt, R-Brandon, said,. "For tonight, it's not done. As for next year, we have nine months to look at it." Hunt was Also the main sponsor of abortion restrictions passed two years ago by the Legislature that have been challenged in federal court. Attorney General Mark Bennett has estimate the state's cost of a lawsuit at $800,000 for that lawsuit. The house approved the same-sex marriage ban 54-13 last month. But maneuvering by Senate opponents sent the bill to an extra hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which voted to kill it Monday night. "It is open to court challenge. That has not even been addressed by the (U.S.) Supreme Court," said Sen. Barb Everist, R-Sioux Falls, the Judiciary Chairman. Two Rapid City senators on the committee, Republicans Fred Whiting and Mitch LaFleur, supported the ban. "It represents the mores, the traditions of the people of South Dakota at this time," Whiting said. The Senate vote Wednesday was to get around the committee decision and put the bill on the calender for debate. Whiting was among those missing when the vote was taken. Hunt suggested there might be enough Senate support to pass the ban with the right members present. To revive the issue, another bill would have to be gutted and the ban language amended into it. If the Senate passed it, then the bill would return to the house for another vote. A court case is pending in Hawaii about the requests by six gay people for marriage licenses. No state now specifically grants licences to same-sex couples -30- Well there you have it, another letter from those singing cowboys and cowgirls of the SDGLF, some of whom are the same person. (can you tell it's getting to us?) Sincerely, Barry Wick, Executive Director South Dakota Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Federation 13121 South Creek View Road Rapid City, SD 57702 (605) 343-5577 1 (800) 354-3417 toll free in South Dakota TOMALHE @aol.com (P.S. are we sending a copy of this to AG-DAY?)