American Bar Association adopts policy on same sex marriage
August 10, 2010
The ABA House of Delegates met again Tuesday morning to wrap up its deliberation for the 2010 Annual Meeting. The policies adopted concerned same-sex marriage, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and firearm microstamping technology.
What follows is a summary of what was discussed.
Recommendation 111, sponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities (IRI) and 26 cosponsors, “urges state, territorial, and tribal governments to eliminate all of their legal barriers to civil marriage between two persons of the same sex who are otherwise eligible to marry.” No salmon slips were held in opposition, and the rules of limited debate applied.
Past ABA Chairman Robert Grey introduced the resolution. According to Grey, “[T]he denial of civil marriage to same-sex couples harms them and their families, excluding them from critical legal protections that married persons take for granted. Let us be clear: this is a legal issue. It is also important to recognize that our colleagues of same-sex relationships deserve the same protections that we all have enjoyed under the founding documents of this country.” He compared the rights of same-sex couples to women, the disabled, and members of different races. “Same-sex relationships are clear, they exist, and they are here to stay,” stated Grey. He concluded, “We can choose to stand on the sidelines, or we can be on the field. There were times when this Association was on the sidelines. Today we should be on the field.”
The ABA House of Delegates met again Tuesday morning to wrap up its deliberation for the 2010 Annual Meeting. The policies adopted concerned same-sex marriage, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and firearm microstamping technology.
What follows is a summary of what was discussed.
Recommendation 111, sponsored by the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities (IRI) and 26 cosponsors, “urges state, territorial, and tribal governments to eliminate all of their legal barriers to civil marriage between two persons of the same sex who are otherwise eligible to marry.” No salmon slips were held in opposition, and the rules of limited debate applied.
Past ABA Chairman Robert Grey introduced the resolution. According to Grey, “[T]he denial of civil marriage to same-sex couples harms them and their families, excluding them from critical legal protections that married persons take for granted. Let us be clear: this is a legal issue. It is also important to recognize that our colleagues of same-sex relationships deserve the same protections that we all have enjoyed under the founding documents of this country.” He compared the rights of same-sex couples to women, the disabled, and members of different races. “Same-sex relationships are clear, they exist, and they are here to stay,” stated Grey. He concluded, “We can choose to stand on the sidelines, or we can be on the field. There were times when this Association was on the sidelines. Today we should be on the field.”
Zack queried: “Why would anyone in this country not want two people who love each not to enjoy the blessings of marriage and full protection of law? Would any one of us want our marriages that we hold so sacred be called civil unions? Aren’t all Americans entitled to the same right? Our fundamental purpose of being is to reject and deny discrimination anywhere and anytime.
posted by Pat Dague @ 12:14 PM
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