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May 15, 2008 11:44 pm US/Eastern
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Florida's Ready For Gay Marriage Ban Debate
Click Here To Read The Exact Wording Of Amendment II (PDF)
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Gay rights groups across the country celebrated California's Supreme Court ruling declaring same-sex couples there have the right to marry. But in South Florida a battle is underway to challenge a similar proposed amendment in November.
No sooner did the ruling come down in California, and opponents of the measure were petitioning for a constitutional amendment, banning gay marriage. That would trump the court's decision.
A similar situation is brewing in Florida, even though none of its cities currently have legalized gay marriage.
"It is cruel to stop people from taking care of who they love," said Nadine Smith.
Smith is a part of Equality Florida, an activist group fighting to stop Florida's proposed Amendment II from becoming a reality. At a gathering Thursday night in Ft. Lauderdale, her group urged Floridians to vote no on Amendment II. It would permanently ban gay marriage in our state, should anyone try to pass a law allowing it.
"It keeps people who love each other and who've committed to each other from being able to take care of one another. It has the government put obstacles in people's way," said Smith.
"This is worth protecting and no judge is gonna take that away," said Janet Folger.
Janet Folger founded Faith 2 Action, a group that supports Amendment II. She is helping lead the fight in favor of the amendment in our state.
"Marriage is the union of one man and one woman," said Folger. "That's the way it's been for five thousand years of recorded history. And what do you know? The civilizations that recognized and protected marriage are the ones that survive."
This is one of those issues that could galvanize large numbers of Floridians to go to the polls. And remember November's election is expected to have enormous turnout as it is because of the presidential race.
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