The Louisiana Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously reinstated an anti-gay marriage

[dmp]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Louisiana Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously reinstated an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in September.

The high court reversed a ruling by a state district judge, who struck down the "defense of marriage" amendment in October on the grounds that the measure dealt with more than one subject, in violation of the Louisiana Constitution.

But the Supreme Court said: "Each provision of the amendment is germane to the single object of defense of marriage."

The amendment was put on the ballot by the Legislature and approved by 78 percent of the voters. Eleven other states adopted similar amendments in the fall elections.

"We're obviously delighted," said Michael Johnson, an attorney for Alliance Defense Fund, which argued for the amendment's legality.

Gay rights activist and state legislative candidate Chris Daigle called the ruling an outrage, saying it does nothing to defend marriage.

"High divorce rates, high adultery rates, poverty, lack of education, parents having to hold more than one job, those are the real threats to marriage," he said.

But other opponents of the amendment said they were pleased that the court noted that it would not affect the rights of unmarried couples, gay or heterosexual.

In striking down the amendment, Judge William Morvant of Baton Rouge had ruled that it would also prevent the state from recognizing common-law relationships, domestic partnerships and civil unions between both gay and heterosexual couples.

At issue was a provision that stated: "A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be recognized."

But the high court said the amendment would not stop unmarried couples from buying property together, making medical decisions for each other, or leaving their estates to one another.

Randy Evans, an attorney for the gay rights group Forum for Equality, called the high court's ruling "a decision worthy of Solomon."

Legislative backers of the amendment said that although gay marriages were already banned by state law, the amendment was needed to ensure that courts would not authorize such marriages, as happened in Massachusetts.

"This makes it clear that marriage will remain a sacred union between a man and a woman, and removes the ability of activist judges from changing that definition," Republican state Rep. Steve Scalise said.

 

[speederdoc]

One more state takes a stand...good for them.

(and that's all I'm going to say about that. :tng: )

 

[Avatar4321]

Well glad common sense won out here. Cant believe that judge ever tried to throw out a constitutional amendment for being unconstitutional. it just makes no sense.

 

[JOKER96BRAVO]

Cant believe that judge ever tried to throw out a constitutional amendment for being unconstitutional.

I guess that would be the main issue here...

 

[no1tovote4]

Well glad common sense won out here. Cant believe that judge ever tried to throw out a constitutional amendment for being unconstitutional. it just makes no sense.

A State's Amendment can be unconstitutional. The SCOTUS threw out an Amendment in Colorado that stated that Homosexuals could not receive special rights not given to other groups.

 

[Avatar4321]

A State's Amendment can be unconstitutional. The SCOTUS threw out an Amendment in Colorado that stated that Homosexuals could not receive special rights not given to other groups.

This is news to me. But regardless how can a State judge argue that an amendment to the state constitution is unconstitutional?

 

[no1tovote4]

This is news to me. But regardless how can a State judge argue that an amendment to the state constitution is unconstitutional?

They can argue it violates the US Constitution and kill it there. The State judge isn't limited only to the Constitution of the State. If they believe that the law is in violation of the US Constitution why have them waste all the State money and resources if they believe it will be struck down at a later level?

 

[007]

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Louisiana Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously reinstated an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in September.

It's nice to see a state do the right thing. Too bad it has to come to that, but with so many sick fucks around, normal folks just gotta do what they gotta do to keep the sanity.

 

[Johnney]

jsut when you think the US is slipping into the sewers, we get a redeeming decision