• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Politics
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Gay Pride
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Men
  • Space
  • Science
  • Gay Iconography
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Monkeypox
  • Film/TV

Did Nebraska Lawmakers Just Accidentally Recognize Gay Marriage?

Sean Mandell February 4, 2015

6a00d8341c730253ef01bb07cdbc47970d-800wi

A debate over granting military spouses the right to carry concealed handguns in Nebraska may have just led state lawmakers to inadvertently acknowledge same-sex marriage. Omaha.com reports that the state legislature was considering a bill that would allows spouses of military service-members to apply for a concealed gun permit without having to wait 180 days to establish residency. But how would marriage be defined? And would same-sex couples married out of state be covered and eligible to apply for gun permits under this new legislation?

PaulSen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus (right) proposed an amendment that would clarify the issue by extending the gun rights in question to any individuals currently receiving federal benefits of a military spouse. That definition includes same-sex couples.

Via Omaha.com:

“Is not the Second Amendment sex blind? Color blind?” Schumacher said. “What great evil would come from saying a partner of somebody in the military … is entitled to exercise their Second Amendment rights to carry a concealed weapon in this state?”

After the amendment was adopted by a vote of 38-0, it was Sen. John Murante of Gretna, who abstained on the bill, gave the sound bite that would sum up the possible implications of Schumacher's amendment, saying “I think we just recognized gay marriage. We are now using the federal government’s standard for who receives marriage benefits.” In other words, Nebraska is now using a definition of marriage to determine distribution of benefits that includes a recognition of same-sex marriages.

However, not all lawmakers were as confident that the new legislation would conflict with Nebraska's ban on same-sex marriage:

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins, who sponsored the measure, said he does not think the amendment language will open up the state’s marriage law to attack. The state constitution definitively says gay marriage is not recognized within Nebraska’s borders, he added. […]

Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a strong supporter of allowing Nebraska same-sex couples to marry, voted against the bill because he opposes pro-gun legislation. But he voted for the Schumacher amendment.

Afterward, Chambers, who holds a law degree, declined to give his legal opinion of the legislation that advanced to the second of three rounds of debate.

“The bill says what it says and does what it does,” he said.

Topics: News More Posts About: gay marriage, Guns, Guns, Nebraska, News

Related Posts
  • Former Roommate Indicted For Murder Of Florida LGBTQ Activist Jorge Diaz-Johnston, One of the Public Faces In State Fight For Marriage Equality
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Survivor Benefits Payments For Same-Sex Partners Are Being Paid Under Biden, But Many Don’t Even Know They Qualify
  • Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Dame Angela Lansbury is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tony Awards. The 96-year-old actress – who has won five Tonys during her career – will be honoured …Read More »
  • Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Published by Reuters WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Voters in Georgia and Alabama will pick candidates for the U.S. Congress and other offices in Tuesday primaries testing former President Donald Trump’s power over his Republican Party ahead of …Read More »
  • Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Cybill Shepherd “will always love” Bruce Willis. ‘Die Hard’ legend Bruce, 67, has stepped away from the big screen after finding it increasingly difficult to manage his lines on set after …Read More »
  • WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    Published by Reuters (Reuters) – The World Health Organization does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated, a senior executive at the U.N. agency said on Monday, noting the infectious disease that is endemic …Read More »
Previous Post: « Jon Stewart Mocks the ‘Mindful Stupidity’ of the Anti-Vaxxers: VIDEO
Next Post: Gorgeous Trailer Drops For Ryan Gosling’s Directorial Debut ‘Lost River’: VIDEO »

Primary Sidebar

News

  • Vladimir Putin’s TV Appearances ‘Staged’ As Russian Leader Continues To Suffer Worsening Health Problems

    Vladimir Putin’s TV Appearances ‘Staged’ As Russian Leader Continues To Suffer Worsening Health Problems

  • US flight brings tons of needed baby formula from Germany

    US flight brings tons of needed baby formula from Germany

  • Courtney Love apologises for ‘bullying’ Amber Heard

    Courtney Love apologises for ‘bullying’ Amber Heard

  • ‘Desperate To Chase His Lost Relevance’: Donald Trump SLAMS Mike Pence’s ‘Plans’ To Run For President In 2024

    ‘Desperate To Chase His Lost Relevance’: Donald Trump SLAMS Mike Pence’s ‘Plans’ To Run For President In 2024

Break

  • Starbucks to completely exit Russia after Ukraine invasion

    Starbucks to completely exit Russia after Ukraine invasion

  • Evan Spiegel & Miranda Kerr Pay Off $10 Million In Loans Of Otis College’s Graduating Class

    Evan Spiegel & Miranda Kerr Pay Off $10 Million In Loans Of Otis College’s Graduating Class

  • Vladimir Putin’s Daughter SECRETLY Living In Germany With Man Named Igor Zelensky

    Vladimir Putin’s Daughter SECRETLY Living In Germany With Man Named Igor Zelensky

  • Tucker Carlson: Voice of white America’s outrage and fears

    Tucker Carlson: Voice of white America’s outrage and fears

RSS Partner Links

  • Morning Wood
  • 11 Most Famous & Best Premium Gay Sites Of 2022
  • “Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant & Kyle Mooney left SNL” links
  • Duchess Meghan came out to see Prince Harry’s polo team again this weekend
  • Kourtney Kardashian's Wedding Photos - See Her Multiple Dresses from Italian Affair with Travis Barker!
  • Natalia Dyer Doesn't Really Get The Interest In Her & Charlie Heaton's Real Life Relationship
  • Jamie Foxx Spotted Making Out with Mystery Woman on a Yacht
  • Kevin McGarry & Kayla Wallace To Star in Hallmark's 'My Grown Up Christmas List' Movie Airing During Christmas in July Event
  • OMG, looking for that fresh summer look: Avoid these horrible haircut FAILS

Most Recent

  • U.S. health officials releasing some Jynneos vaccine doses for monkeypox – CDC

    U.S. health officials releasing some Jynneos vaccine doses for monkeypox – CDC

  • Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

    Dame Angela Lansbury to receive Lifetime Achievement gong at the Tonys

  • Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

    Factbox: Seven races to watch in Georgia, Alabama midterm primaries, Texas run-offs

  • Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

    Cybill Shepherd supports Bruce Willis after aphasia diagnosis

  • WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

    WHO says no evidence monkeypox virus has mutated

  • U.S. Southern Baptists release scathing report on sexual abuse

    U.S. Southern Baptists release scathing report on sexual abuse

  • Indonesia summons Britain’s envoy after furore over rainbow flag

    Indonesia summons Britain’s envoy after furore over rainbow flag

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Log in