Despite the fact that Colorado voters made same sex marriage illegal under a constitutional amendment in 2006 (and in that same year struck down a referendum that would have legalized domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian couples) a 2010 poll showed there is strong support for extending many of the same rights enjoyed by straight spouses to GLBT partners. Democrats see this as evidence that opinions on the subject have changed drastically since 2006, and the law should reflect that.
KUSA reports on the bill sponsored by State Senator Pat Steadman:
“This is something that I think is overdue, something that will protect families and will make our laws a little bit more fair, and a little bit more inclusive so that everyone has the same opportunity to have economic security and stability in their family relationship,” Sen. Steadman (D-Denver) said.
Republicans point to economic matters being more pressing than social issues right now, but who could argue that legalizing civil unions would not be a boost to the economy? According to industry analysts, US spending related to weddings is projected to total $50 billion in 2011. Expanding the customer base for wedding planners, cake designers, rental companies, caterers, and every other business that goes in to planning a wedding ceremony (or commitment ceremony, in this case) can only be a good thing for those businesses.
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(Rsb-you seem to have a missing sentence/clause) in the first graph.
my eyes must be playing tricks!
And yes, big ups to Steadman for showing real leadership on this issue.
I’m sort of loving the guy lately and am particularly impressed with his personal responses to his constituents. This makes me like him even more.
Thanks for posting this.
We have more and more Republicans realizing that this is a fundamental human right. And the extra jobs part sure doesn’t hurt 🙂
Always nice to have an opportunity to agree with you, LB!
This is a civil rights issue. Anyone who suggests this issue be put on the back burner because the economy is more important is full of it.
Are we to tell a certain class of people in this state “Sorry but you will have to stay second class citizens unless and until the economy gets better” ?
I think Martin Luther King would have something to say about that.
How would this not directly contravene the wishes of Colorado voters, who banned gay marriage AND rejected “civil unions” in 2006?
Rejected TABOR how many times before it finally passed? Like that?
Letting the rabble vote on their taxes is such a terrible thing, after all.
I’m afraid you are suffering from misplaced priorities. I don’t hate gays, but this is not only unimportant, it’s divisive to a lot of people. I have more important things to argue about.
Just because voters didn’t adopt civil unions a while back doesn’t mean they’ll eventually come around. Same as happened with TABOR.
Good to know you don’t hate teh gays, though.
Can you please explain one thing to me? Why do your people habitually misspell the word “the?” I’ve never understood it and if it’s some kind of joke, you need to let more people in on it.
You mean Internet users?
If you spend too much time on the internet, you find that you enjoy misspelling words on purpose.
in the Soros Stylebook, 1st edition.
No big deal really, but, because so many or us have sworn an oath to support to the letter everything from Soros . . .
So Why are you here?
Although I note that with the exception of the few remaining unabashed bigots, most seem to find it prudent to deny, or are genuinely unaware, of their bigotry. Many of the most offending statements in fact begin with…I have nothing against x …and then ollow with something like…I just don’t think they should have the same rights as anyone else.
You’re so right.
As a white man, I can’t be bothered to argue about the rights of women or those with more melanin than me. The rights of Jews do concern me some, though.
72% say they support civil unions.
I know a poll on the first Tuesday of November in even years that matters a hell of a lot more.
And Hick, an avowed supporter of civil unions, cleaned your clock in that poll. So you agree the will of the voters should be honored?
And the Republican candidate for US Senate lost considerable credibility the moment he uttered the phrase “I think it’s a choice”.
As soon as you allow the same with health care.
In the meantime, maybe we should have another statewide vote on civil unions if that’s what has to happen, but the legislature should definitely not pass this with the last word from voters being rejection. That would be very bad politics.
because that was kind of a major vote by some guy named Michael Bennet who won a pretty close Senate race.
There was also a health care reform opt-out amendment that went down in flames, in a much less narrow race than the 6% that Referendum I was shot down by. Are you suggesting Tipton, Gardner, Coffman, Lamborn and all of the Republican delegation in the GA are subverting the will of the people as well?
Like some people just showed up one random day and have a really long lunch with votes?
Ever notice how they tend to have the majority of their positions in common with at least half their districts?
Crazy! I don’t know how they guess!
Pat Steadman is the most intelligent elected offical in Colorado.
Honestly, i am sick over the fact we are even discussing this. As a people, I am really confused why ANY OF YOU CARE.
The government shouldn’t be invovled in marrage anyway. The Gov’t should ONLY give a partnership agreement to all of us.
Why is the Republican Party afraid of Gays?