If every state Republican Party followed the lead of the Equality State Republicans, our nation would not be in such a time of crisis.
Earlier this week, legislation banning recognition of out-of-state gay marriages was narrowly voted down in Wyoming. Out of 30 legislators in the Senate, only four are Democrats.
The bill failed 14-16. Twelve courageous Republicans voted to keep The Equality State equal.
These Wyoming Senate Republicans rejected a discrimination measure against gays. RLC-endorsed State Senator Cale Case, Ph.D. (2nd photo from the left, above) made economic and personal liberty arguments in opposition to the bill. In the State House, RLC-endorsed member Sue Wallis made similar arguments. The RLC hopes that these pro-liberty, fair-minded legislators can help the Republican Party change its course nationally.
Supporters of the legislation said it was needed to resolve a conflict in Wyoming law, which defines marriage as a contract “between a male and a female person” but also recognizes any valid marriage performed outside the state. Earlier in the day, the bill barely passed the Wyoming House 31-28.
Wednesday’s vote on HB74 marked the latest in series of late-session defeats for social conservatives in Wyoming, who had been heartened by last year’s election results. Wyoming Republicans enjoyed their largest legislative majorities in 90 years and swung the Legislature noticeably to Republicans.
Last week, lawmakers killed a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage as well as legislation requiring abortion doctors to offer an ultrasound to their patients.
Maybe the social conservatives didn’t count on the fact that many of the Republican State Senators — shown above — have strong libertarian leanings.
On March 5th, 2011 at 4:52 am
Rejecting an anti-gay measure would amount to repealing anti-sodomy laws, legalizing prostitution, or passing a law banning Sharia law in Wyoming making sure that Gays aren’t even intimidated, persecuted or attacked by Muslims.
So-called “Gay Marriage,” is more of an affirmative action effort; an attempt by Gays to gain federal and state government benefits, so that their partners can get on the government dole. It is not a “libertarian” position.
If Gays want to marry, great! Mazeltoff! Cities and Towns ought to grant them a license to have public ceremonies in public parks and other facilities. But they shouldn’t receive government hand-outs just for having a piece of paper.
On March 5th, 2011 at 4:55 am
Real repression of Gays comes from Islam.
It is indeed horribly ironic and downright disgusting, that American libertarians are obsessed with the issue of Gay Marriage, but care little for Gays being persecuted in Muslim lands, hung in the squares of Tehran, having their genitals chopped off and stuffed in their mouths by Islamists in Uganda, persecuted in Nigeria, and whipped to death in Somalia.
Where’s the outrage from the American gay community for these atrocities? Where’s the outrage from American libertarians?
All we get is silence. Because, Muslim on Gay violence just “doesn’t fit the template.”