Index

4.4.06

Efforts to Force Legal Same-Sex "Marriage" Increase in United States

By Gudrun Schultz

CALIFORNIA, United States, April 3, 2006 – Two men in a homosexual relationship are attempting to force a federal appeals court to declare same-sex “marriage” a constitutional right.

Although it is not likely to succeed, the attempt by the California men is a sign of increasing efforts to legalize same-sex “marriage” across the country. In Washington, a court ruling is expected shortly that will decide if the state will become the second to legalize gay “marriage”, at least among residents, Reuters reported on Friday.

Ten states have legal challenges pending that would see same-sex “marriage” legalized, and Vermont and Connecticut have laws allowing homosexual civil unions. In 2003 Massachusetts’ highest court ruled that banning gay “marriage” was unconstitutional, but last week issued a ruling that barred out-of-state residents from marrying in the state.

Despite the increasing push by gay rights activists, at least 13 states have recently passed amendments banning same-sex “marriage”. A Pew Research Center poll released last week showed that although opposition has dropped across the country in the last two years, over half of Americans are still opposed to the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

A majority of California residents, in a recent Field poll, said they do not support redefinition. 61% said they disapproved of a state law that would permit homosexuals to marry.