Last night, two states showed the world they are incapable of moving beyond archaic beliefs. Two states showed that they care more about what a loud but small group of people thinks, versus what their constituents want. In North Carolina, a tense situation as two sides faced off over Amendment 1. The issue at stake: banning gay marriage throughout the state. Many I know fought hard against the amendment. Many I've watched have condemned it's overreaching effects. Now, Amendment 1 is law in North Carolina. Abuse victims no longer may have protection from those who hurt them...the children of both gay and straight couples may no longer have needed benefits...numerous unmarried couples now may see benefits that help them in their lives stripped away, and all because a few religious pastors screamed and stamped their feet...and because, in North Carolina, archaic and bigoted religious "values" matter more than human rights.
In Colorado, the state watched for several hours as state Republican representatives stalled on the House floor. The issue? A bill that would have legalized civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in the state of Colorado. Representative Frank McNulty made good on his word when he said that the bill would not pass the house. He and many of his cohorts used their control of the house to stall until the clock hit five minutes to zero. With the death of the civil unions bill went 30 other different bills that should have been voted on as well. And it happened all because of a few vocal angry voices who dislike the fact that any two people who are in love deserve the right to marry each other if they wish to do so. Here, the unreasonable and insane voices coming from New Life Church, the Family Research Council, and Focus on the Family mattered more than what the voters demanded. McNulty dared to speak of honor this morning when closing out the final day of Colorado's active legislation period. He, and many other Republicans in Colorado, showed their cowardice and their unwillingness to be accepting through killing not only one historic bill, but many, many others. They were willing to vote on a law allowing people to drive while high, yet did not budge on a bill that would allow civil unions for gays and lesbians. Cowards, they all are.
Luckily, the governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, called a special session of the House and Senate to address the civil unions bill that a few hateful individuals in Colorado's legislature prevented from even being heard last night. Many in Colorado will watch to see if it passes. And if this special session of the state legislature does vote and pass the bill to allow civil unions for gays and lesbians, Colorado will step on the same level as the other states who have shown the strength and willingness to do similar things in the name of progress and equality. If not, a lot of Republicans in Colorado will find themselves out of a job come this November.
Where North Carolina failed, Colorado can succeed. The members of the house and senate have a second chance to prove that they can fulfill the hopes and dreams of many throughout the state. They have a second chance to prove that they believe in equality for all, and not the narrowminded vision of bigoted men and women from a few "religious" organizations. They must do this. They must.
In Colorado, the state watched for several hours as state Republican representatives stalled on the House floor. The issue? A bill that would have legalized civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in the state of Colorado. Representative Frank McNulty made good on his word when he said that the bill would not pass the house. He and many of his cohorts used their control of the house to stall until the clock hit five minutes to zero. With the death of the civil unions bill went 30 other different bills that should have been voted on as well. And it happened all because of a few vocal angry voices who dislike the fact that any two people who are in love deserve the right to marry each other if they wish to do so. Here, the unreasonable and insane voices coming from New Life Church, the Family Research Council, and Focus on the Family mattered more than what the voters demanded. McNulty dared to speak of honor this morning when closing out the final day of Colorado's active legislation period. He, and many other Republicans in Colorado, showed their cowardice and their unwillingness to be accepting through killing not only one historic bill, but many, many others. They were willing to vote on a law allowing people to drive while high, yet did not budge on a bill that would allow civil unions for gays and lesbians. Cowards, they all are.
Luckily, the governor of Colorado, John Hickenlooper, called a special session of the House and Senate to address the civil unions bill that a few hateful individuals in Colorado's legislature prevented from even being heard last night. Many in Colorado will watch to see if it passes. And if this special session of the state legislature does vote and pass the bill to allow civil unions for gays and lesbians, Colorado will step on the same level as the other states who have shown the strength and willingness to do similar things in the name of progress and equality. If not, a lot of Republicans in Colorado will find themselves out of a job come this November.
Where North Carolina failed, Colorado can succeed. The members of the house and senate have a second chance to prove that they can fulfill the hopes and dreams of many throughout the state. They have a second chance to prove that they believe in equality for all, and not the narrowminded vision of bigoted men and women from a few "religious" organizations. They must do this. They must.