GPAC Applauds Defeat of Same-Sex Marriage Amendment
Condemns Gender Stereotypes Utilized by Some Far Right Lawmakers


WASHINGTON - The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives today for rejecting a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The 227-186 vote was decisive, falling far short of the two-thirds majority needed to move the amendment to the next stage. A similar amendment failed in the Senate in July.

Said GenderPAC Executive Director Riki Wilchins, "The far right's opposition to same-gender marriage is rooted in their extreme agenda of returning the nation to the Ward and June Cleaver-era. We know today that fathers can be nurturing and mothers can be strong disciplinarians -- in sharp contrast to the old stereotypes. What children need are loving homes and strong values. We are elated that Congress rejected this discriminatory Constitutional amendment and, along with it, some outmoded gender-role stereotypes."