Oct 22, 2008 10:20 pm US/Eastern
Amendment 2 Could Be Tough On Some Seniors
Proposed Amendment would define marriage and place the issue outside of judicial review
MIAMI GARDENS (CBS4) ―
Amendment 2 has been one of the most hotly contested issues on the November ballot. The amendment would define marriage as the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife. The new amendment would also protect the measure from judicial review. But, the amendment's reach could be widespread.
For Miriam and Paul Carvalho, the amendment would not have much of an impact. They have been married for 26 years, and they say that Amendment 2 is the foundation of a family and firmly support the amendment.
"What's going to be if this becomes normal lifestyle, that a man would marry a man, or a woman a woman? I don't know what is going to happen with this nation. But, it's going to destroy the family," Miriam said.
Paul echoed his wife's sentiment, but was more concerned with children of same-sex marriages. "It's not fair to take a child, and put that child, make them out guinea pigs to see how these new families, these new experiments work. It's not fair for them," Paul said.
Fort Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle has fought in support of the amendment saying it protects marriage and protects the law from judges. "Laws can be changed by activist judges. This would prevent that. That's what this is about," Naugle said.
But, opponents say the Amendment could have a much deeper impact than simply on same sex marriage. The proposed amendment includes a provision saying that, "no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized." Opponents say that clause could wipe out domestic partnerships for both gays and straight couples.
"That's what they said in Michigan when an amendment that was almost identically worded passed, the first thing they did was sue the Michigan higher education system to nullify all domestic partner benefits," Michael Kenny said.
Helene Milman and Wayne Rauen have been together more than two decades as domestic partners, but with the changes they fear what will become of their relationship. Helene is a breast cancer survivor and during her recent surgery, Wayne was allowed at her bedside because of their domestic partnership, but that could change with the new amendment.
"That's really when it makes me angry. They're taking away my ability to be with Wayne when I need to be with him and he needs to be with me. And so yes, I'm angry. Stay out of my life. Government needs to stay out of my life and out of our life," Helene said.
Wayne figures with 4 laws already on the books in Florida that ban same sex marriage, the ones who will suffer are seniors. Supporters of Amendment 2 say the claim the amendment could hurt seniors is simply a scare tactic.
Click here to see the CBS4 voting guide to see where politicians stand on Amendment 2.
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