01/22/2009
Focus on the Family in Anti-Gay Attack on Wyoming Constitution
James Dobson's Colorado Springs-based group has begun a telephone lobbying campaign in support of Senate Joint Resolution 2, which would allow Wyoming voters to decide whether the state should recognize same-sex marriages from out of state:
"Wyoming already has a law in place that says only marriages between a man and a woman may be conducted in the state. However, the state is bound to recognize marriages performed in other states, some of which allow same-sex marriages and civil unions. 'Those phone calls are part of an effort to encourage and enable Wyomingites who care deeply about protecting marriage to contact their legislators,' said Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the Family Action. Swiatkiewicz said the calls began on Friday. She declined to disclose the cost of the effort or how many calls the group were being made. She said her group has worked for the past several years to pass amendments in other states defining marriage as existing only between men and women...The group's calls have been targeting voters in districts represented by some members of the Senate Education Committee. The resolution has been assigned to the committee but has yet to come up for a vote. Sen. Curt Meier, R-LaGrange, is one of the sponsors of the resolution. He said Tuesday that it hasn't been scheduled for a committee vote because there isn't enough support there to pass it."
Said Equality Wyoming spokesman Bob Spencer: "I really don't like to see an out-of-state group getting involved. I just don't think it's necessary. I feel like the Focus on the Family has just moved into the state and wants to see this happen, and I hate to see us go in that direction. I think that equality is important for all people."
Focus on the Family group lobbies for anti-gay-marriage bill [billings gazette]
Posted 1:24 PM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage, JAmes Dobson, News, Wyoming | Permalink
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This is why doma needs to be repealed. Obama better keep his promise.
Posted by: TANK | Jan 22, 2009 1:36:10 PM
Wyoming has around 400,000 people. Convincing its already conservative voters to nix this is a cheap, easy victory for Dobson. I seriously doubt the calls are even necessary.
Posted by: Paul R | Jan 22, 2009 2:21:41 PM
Can you imagine what a difference these people could make in the world if they spent this much time, energy and money on helping the poor.
Posted by: Okie | Jan 22, 2009 2:25:17 PM
Well, its a good thing that Wyoming voters don't GET to decide on this. It is all up to the legislation and there is no way this will pass no matter how many people call.
Posted by: Aiden Raccoon | Jan 22, 2009 10:01:42 PM
Also what a mess!! What about any already married gay couples that reside in the state? Ex post facto laws should protect them. So now you are going to be in the same mess as California, attempting to take away rights that gays already have.
Posted by: Aiden Raccoon | Jan 22, 2009 10:03:46 PM
Also what a mess!! What about any already married gay couples that reside in the state? Ex post facto laws should protect them. So now you are going to be in the same mess as California, attempting to take away rights that gays already have.
Posted by: Aiden Raccoon | Jan 22, 2009 10:04:11 PM
That slimy sack of crap Dobson needs to fuck off and slink away into oblivion!!! As do all the conservatives that think they can still push their weight around and strip us of our rights. President Obama really does need to work as soon as possible to repeal DOMA and work towards full equality for gay people in the USA.
Posted by: CK | Jan 23, 2009 7:39:26 AM
J. David Nichols testified against the DOMA while it was still in committee. You can read his testimony here:
http://www.sharedsacrifice.us/Feb5Nichols_Testimony_SSM.html
You can hear his report on the whole process on the February 7 edition of Shared Sacrifice Internet Radio here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingLeft/Shared_Sacrifice
Posted by: Matt | Feb 8, 2009 2:08:13 PM