Gay marriage amendment author on defense
The proposal's language is called ambiguous and some say could bar benefits from same-sex couples
03/24/04
JEFF KOSSEFF
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Wayne Allard on Tuesday defended his proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit gay marriage, arguing that it would not bar states from allowing same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Allard, R-Colo., faced significant opposition from Democrats, even after rewriting his bill in an attempt to placate critics. Looming in the background was the larger debate of whether governments should allow same-sex marriages, such as those licensed in Multnomah County this month. But the hearing also focused on other types of same-sex unions, such as the domestic partnerships registered in Multnomah County since 2000 and Vermont's civil unions.


~

No Straight Answers
By Randy B. Hecht, May & June 2004
America’s older gays and lesbians struggle with health care, inheritance, retirement benefits, social services, prejudice, and more