Anti-marriage constitutional amendment fails to advance in Wyoming
February 28, 2011
By Adam Bink
In a welcome bit of news, today the constitutional amendment in Wyoming to ban recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, which had already passed the State Senate, missed the deadline to move in the House after the Majority Leader refused to spend floor time on it:
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A proposed amendment to the Wyoming Constitution that would specify the state wouldn’t recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere died Friday when it missed a procedural deadline in the state Legislature.
The Wyoming House adjourned without taking action on a same-sex marriage bill that had already passed the state Senate. Passing the measure would have required a two-thirds vote in both houses.
House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Tom Lubnau, R-Gillette, said he didn’t want to spend hours of floor time debating a bill that didn’t have the votes to pass. The Legislature is set to adjourn next week.
Another bill was still pending that would change Wyoming law to specify that the state would only recognize marriages between one man and one woman. Disagreement remained between the House and Senate over whether the state should allow same-sex couples who entered civil unions elsewhere to have access to the state court system to resolve any issues that arise in their relationships.
Rep. Amy Edmonds said that considering the differences in the House and Senate positions on the bills, she believed its future is “tenuous at best.” The Cheyenne Republican served on a conference committee assigned to work out a compromise position on the pending bill.
[…]
Wyoming law specifies marriage can only exist between a man and a woman, but also says the state will recognize valid marriages performed in other states.
Here’s hoping it continues its death remains permanent.
On the flip side of the coin, we still need to make calls in Maryland.
13 Comments
1.
Kathleen | February 28, 2011 at 6:27 am
I'm confused. Is this the news that was reported last Friday? Or is this something new?
2.
Gregory in Salt Lake | February 28, 2011 at 6:31 am
either way…good news! subs.
3.
JonT | February 28, 2011 at 10:41 am
☮
4.
Ronnie | March 1, 2011 at 1:42 am
=
<3…Ronnie
5.
Rhie | February 28, 2011 at 6:39 am
*bounces up and down* WE'RE WINNING! WE'RE WINNING!!
6.
Richard A. Jernigan | February 28, 2011 at 6:54 am
Go, Wyoming! Keep those wide open spaces family-friendly!
7.
Bob | February 28, 2011 at 8:49 am
it died Friday RIP,,,, maybe we should start a list,,,, bless those haters hearts,, they alllowed it to miss the deadline,,,, maybe they're beginning to see the light,,,,
menwhile,,,, back to those calls in Maryland!!!!!!!
8.
Sagesse | February 28, 2011 at 8:55 am
It would seem that the Republican leadership around the country is unevenly enthused about anti-equality laws in 2011.
9.
Straight Ally #3008 | February 28, 2011 at 10:48 am
It's going to be really interesting to see if, after all the bluster from certain corners, Congress really decides to intervene to defend DOMA.
10.
Bob | February 28, 2011 at 9:03 am
waaaay of topic,,,, having to do with gun laws,,, I have friends travelling down in New Orleans,, apparently NO has the highest number of gun related deaths,,,,, trivia question if it's true,,,,,
and they say the Police Chief just posted a warning to parents to tell their children to not shoot anyone they know????????????????? (are they pulling my leg)
11.
Cass in Wyoming | February 28, 2011 at 11:28 am
Happy about not having to face this one on the ballot next year! If HB 74 dies in conference comittee we may make it out of the session without going backwards. My truck now sports a rainbow sticker, and I did drive it down to Cheyenne for a day of lobbying– In Wyoming you really do stand out in the lobby and wait for the representatives. It was a really interesting experiance.
12.
Kathleen | February 28, 2011 at 11:34 am
I'd love to hear more about what the day was like, if you feel up to writing more for us.
13.
Sagesse | February 28, 2011 at 9:59 pm
LA Times backs lifting the stay
Same-sex weddings, now
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la…