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May. 16, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Repeal of gay union ban in Nevada no small task

By ADRIENNE PACKER
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Richard Ziser
Gay marriage opponent's initiative gained support of Nevada voters

Opponents of same-sex marriages are not fearful that the California Supreme Court's ruling Thursday will sway Nevada residents who twice voted to prohibit the unions.

Organizations pushing for the legalization of gay marriages would have to amend the state constitution, a task that Richard Ziser, a vocal opponent of same-sex unions, called a "large undertaking."

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    • "It would require another constitutional amendment being on the ballot twice," said Ziser, chairman of Nevada Concerned Citizens, who led the charge years ago to add to the state constitution a law that prohibits gay marriages.

    "Conceivably you could do that if you wanted to, but I don't see it now. No one has said they are interested in doing that."

    Ziser pointed out that Nevadans twice voted overwhelmingly to prohibit gay unions. In 2000, 70 percent of voters agreed to amend the constitution to ban the marriages; in 2002, 67 percent of the voters supported Ziser's initiative.

    Nevada is one of five states in the country with such language in the constitution.

    "Obviously we did the right thing," Ziser said. "It's much more difficult to overturn."

    In California, the same-sex marriage ban that the Supreme Court deemed unconstitutional was simply a state statute. Voters there will have an opportunity in November to amend the state constitution, which would override the court's historic ruling. As of now, California and Massachusetts are the only states that recognize same-sex unions.

    Candice Nichols, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said the California decision might offer incentive to gay residents in other states, including Nevada.

    "It's definitely not over yet (in California), but it's an amazing, amazing victory," Nichols said. "I think if we continue to see this kind of trend and we do see other states passing this, we could pick up that fight down the road, but who knows where it will go."

    The language written into Nevada's constitution three years ago says the state will not recognize a same-sex union between two people who move here from another state where such a marriage was performed.

    The California Supreme Court said the state will allow same-sex unions in 30 days, a decision Ziser said is a mistake. Ziser said the court should hold off on the marriages until voters have their say in November.

    In 1994, the Hawaii Supreme Court also ruled that banning same-sex unions is unconstitutional, but held off recognizing the marriages until an initiative appeared on the ballot. Hawaiian residents ultimately voted to ban the unions.

    Nichols said she hopes California voters will support the Supreme Court's decision in November.

    "That their commitment to their families finally offer them the same opportunities as other Californians is a victory," she said.

    Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker @reviewjournal.com or 702-384-8710.

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    Mama Bear wrote on May 20, 2008 06:41 PM: And, according to some of these right wing nut jobs with IQs of room temperature, it would be better to follow the family values as espoused by Warren Jeffs (forced marriage of underage children) than to be a gay person in a monogamous relationship.




    Nicole wrote on May 17, 2008 11:58 AM: By the way I am a heterosexual woman in a heterosexual relationship. However I am a human being as are all of you! Human rights should prevail in this case not some religous agenda.


    Nicole wrote on May 17, 2008 08:56 AM: fljohngalt wrote "Homosexuality is a mortal sin, all orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus agree on this point."
    Exactly.. so if all these RELIGOUS groups have a problem with it why in hell does the government have to do with it! Ever heard of separation of church and state!!!!!!

    Also you wrote "6. Legalize pedophilia"
    Gay people are not pedophiles!!

    Get a clue and learn something!


    theo wrote on May 17, 2008 01:10 AM: This is comical. You right-wing wackos don't know what you're talking about.

    fljohngalt: "liberal judges with no respect for the popular vote." You lack even a basic understanding of the judiciary branch of government. Gays "create sincere (Ellen) people for us to feel sorry for." Yes, we grew her in a lab in a grand plan to rule the world... and we're winning!

    Man, I have to check the agenda to figure out what's next...


    Summerlin Res wrote on May 17, 2008 12:02 AM: Jason, please just stay in the closet or move back to California. Marriage is a bond between a man and a woman, not a man and another man who dresses like a woman.
    Thanks to you guys we now have aids. Haven't you all done enough? Maybe they will open back up alcatraz for all you freaks. You all can stay, play and die there while leaving us straight people alone!


    Jason wrote on May 16, 2008 10:32 PM: Everyone should be able to marry. Gays are excluded because we are looked at as immoral, well we aren't. We are people just like straight people. Why are we treated as second class citizens? The government should not have a say in who gets married. The churches are already telling us that it is wrong to be who we are, and therefore won't let us marry. The government should stay out of people's personal lives, and let us live. There is so much hatred in this state that it is sickening. The State should allow whoever t marry, and let the churches say who they marry. This state used to be alot freer when it came to personal liberties, but now it is run by a bunch of uptight people from California, and the biggest uptight person in this state is the governor. Putting a Constitional amendment banning same sex marriage before the voters is wrong, especially, when there is not enough gays in this state to make the vote fair. I think it is time for this state to coe back to its roots, and let personal liberties rule again.


    judge not lest...whatever wrote on May 16, 2008 10:13 PM: 6. Legalize pedophilia??!!
    Come on ass. That is ridiculous. Stop calling on all these fake religons when you all are too insecure to understand that when you die that is it. Cavemen threw virgins in volcanos when the lightning god was angry too. should we go back to that also?


    fljohngalt wrote on May 16, 2008 09:59 PM: The gay movement strategy:
    1. Convince young people it's OK
    2. Create comical characters (Birdcage) to distract us
    3. Create sincere people (Ellen) for us to feel sorry for
    4. Get civil unions, then marriage
    5. Get full adoption rights
    6. Legalize pedophilia


    fljohngalt wrote on May 16, 2008 09:51 PM: The way that homosexuals/lesbians win is to sue and find liberal judges with no respect for the popular vote. California held an election and 61% voted to protect the sanctity of marriage. Homosexuality is a mortal sin, all orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus agree on this point. An intellectually honest gay would admit the CA ruling is injust.


    sag2008 wrote on May 16, 2008 07:45 PM: The hateful blogs on this site are frightening, but not totally unexpected from the uneducated idiots who populate Las Vegas. Why does anyone care about two consenting adults? Protest against hunger, poverty, illiteracy, disease, and all the other problems facing this planet. Getting so worked up over two people who love each other and want (and deserve) the same rights as others is just ridiculous.


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