Document text
45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 12, 2004 Since WE Asked: Same-sex marriage The Oregon Supreme Court will soon be asked to rule on the an issue made more complex by the results of the November election. Voters approved the Defense of Marriage Act, which precludes same-sex couples from being wed. But what of those 3,000 or so couples married prior to the vote? Here’s your chance to advise the judges what to do. We asked: "What should be done regarding the legality of the nearly 3,000 weddings of same-sex couples performed prior to the state passing a ban on gay marriage?" Advertisement Your responses follow. After reading through them, please take the time to answer this week’s new question. The weddings MUST be recognized by the state as valid. The couples taking the vows followed the requirements set by a government agency at that time and should NOT be held responsible or penalized if that agency made procedural errors. I'm sure many will argue this devalues marriage in some way, but those same people can't give any concrete evidence of this. It actually shows a higher value in marriage by allowing those who truly love one another to make that love official in the eyes of the government. If we really want to protect the "sanctity" of marriage, we need a constitutional amendment banning divorce which, of course, would never pass since the Bible Belt Red States generally have a far higher per capita divorce rate than any of the Pagan Blue States and they surely would not want to lose their right to end a "sanctimonious" marriage! — David B., Ashland I don’t remember that the new law was to be retroactive to any point in time. Although I voted for the law, I see no reason to carry it any further then it was intended. If those marriages were legal at the time they were performed, then they are legal now. — Alan F., Trail They need to be abolished. Marriage is between 1 man & 1 woman. The states voters have spoken and God has spoken through those voters! — J.L.D., Central Point Can we say, "Null and Void"? — Lisa M., Medford I think they were not legal, but it isn't up to me to say. If they were legal at that time then they should still be legal. — Jim H., White City I am still shocked we voted in this discriminatory ban. We should leave it alone and let them live in love and peace. — Marie C., Medford Isn’t it normal practice that anything enacted before a ban is considered "grandfathered in" and therefore allowed to stand? I don't understand the uproar or the objection to marriage between two consenting adults. — Catherine J., Medford No prior ban? Then I guess they are legally married. But watch how little the law means when outrage and discrimination triumph and those marriages are "put asunder" for no other purpose than to punish people for loving each other. — Darryl E., Eagle Point Would the state reverse legal heterosexual marriages? Probably not. These marriages were legal when performed and should remain legal. (A) Gay marriage ban is shocking discrimination. — Chris E., Medford The "marriage" certificates are not valid as the same-sex weddings were illegal at the time of issue and the people of Oregon have spoken out loudly on this issue. We must draw a line in the sand. If these certificates are accepted what is next? I am not willing to support bigamy, are you? — Jeff K., White City A legal category of civil union should be created for the 3,000 and all others who want one. A civil union should confer all the legal rights of a marriage and require a legal dissolution if necessary. — Steve S., Medford The feds shouldn’t jurisdict laws the individual states have voted in, the bible gives you guidelines, god gives you freedom of choice. Choose wisely! — Dave B., Medford Those "weddings" were very illegal, and all should be canceled. I DO NOT hate those people (despite what they, or their friends and allies may think),but marriage has always been between a Man and a Woman, and not same sex couples. — Chuck S., Eugene These marriages should be honored just as any other marriage. These are human beings too, not some objects to be swept under the rug, so they should be treated with respect. — Vicki, Cyberspace Invalidate, or soon to follow: paid health care and retirement for prostitutes; tax credits for aborted children; corrective lenses for voyeurs. It's time to stop. — Kenneth M., Medford This Week’s Question Less than two weeks before Christmas, and you know what that means. College football bowl games, and TV specials showcasing anyone who can lip-synch. Besides those, however, it means the shopping season is swinging into high gear. Before we look for Christmas presents, though, let’s look at Christmas presents past. We ask: "What's the most memorable holiday present you either ever gave someone or received?" Please keep your answers brief and on the issue at hand. Responses received without your name and town can not be considered for publication. All responses will appear on the Web site a week from today. You may submit your answer by using the form here on the Web site, or you may respond directly to [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers