SB23-Amendment proposed to the Alabama Constitution of 1901

SB23
By Senators Mitchem, Dial, Mitchell, Holley, and Bedford
RFD Finance and Taxation Education
Rd 1 08-NOV-04

SYNOPSIS:	Under the Alabama Marriage Protection Act, the State of Alabama does not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex.
	This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.

A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, is proposed and shall become valid as a part thereof when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and in accordance with Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

(a) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.

(b) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.

Section 2. An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in conjunction with the 2006 Primary Election and shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state.

Section 3. The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:

"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide that no marriage license shall be issued in Alabama to parties of the same sex and that the state shall not recognize a marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred as a result of the law of any other jurisdiction.

"Proposed by Act ________."

This description shall be followed by the following language:

"Yes ( ) No ( )."

HB414--proposed amendment to the 1901 Constitution

HB414
By Representatives Allen, Albritton, Hammon, Glover, Beason, Love, Grimes, Humphryes, Gaston, Bridges, Laird, Hubbard, McClurkin, McClendon, Gaines, Galliher, Hill, Ward, Wood, Barton, Ison, Davis, Brewbaker, Clouse, Johnson, Beck, Faust, Collier, Gipson, Millican, Greer, Sanderford, Carns, Payne, Ball, Garner, Greeson, Oden and Bentley
RFD Constitution and Elections
Rd 1 12-FEB-04

SYNOPSIS:

This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.

A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, is proposed and shall become valid as a part thereof when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and in accordance with Sections 284, 285, and 287 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Part 1. (a) The people of the State of Alabama hereby find and declare the following:

(1) Marriage is a fundamental institution of our society, our state, and our government. Within the bonds of marriage, children are entitled to be brought forth and reared by a father and a mother. This state retains an interest in preserving and fostering marriage between a man and a woman, for without the institution of marriage no society or government can long endure.

(2) Therefore, in consequence of the above, the State of Alabama should no longer recognize "common law" marriages.

(3) A marriage should always be defined to consist of a legally binding union, performed under the authority of a sovereign state, of one man and one woman.

(4) Family relationships are derived from the marriage union.

(5) A union replicating marriage of or between persons of the same sex in any other jurisdiction shall be considered and treated in all respects as having no legal force or effect in this state and would not be recognized by this state as a marriage.

(6) Marriage is inherently a unique relationship between a man and a woman. As a matter of public policy, this state has a special interest in encouraging, supporting, and protecting the unique relationship in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and its children. A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state.

Part II. (a) No marriage license shall be issued in the State of Alabama to parties of the same sex.

(b) The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued.

(c) The courts of this state may not issue any interpretation of this amendment that would change or have the effect of changing the meaning of this amendment.

Part III. (a) A relationship between persons of the same sex may not be construed as a common law marriage in this state.

(b) The requirements of subsection (a) shall be construed as mandatory and not merely directory and failure to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) shall render the purported marriage absolutely void.

(c) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of any marriage, either ceremonial or common law, contracted prior to the ratification of this amendment.

Section 2. An election upon the proposed amendment shall be held in accordance with Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, and the election laws of this state at the next general election.

Section 3. The appropriate election official shall assign a ballot number for the proposed constitutional amendment on the election ballot and shall set forth the following description of the substance or subject matter of the proposed constitutional amendment:

"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide findings and declarations of the Legislature pertaining to same sex marriages; to prohibit a court of this state from issuing any interpretation of the prohibition against the recognition of same sex marriage; and to prohibit a relationship between persons of the same sex from being construed as a common law marriage.

"Proposed by Act ________."

This description shall be followed by the following language:

"Yes ( ) No ( )."

PSA: Vagina =/= Feminist. Vagina =/= my vote. Feminist == my vote.

Friends, let's have a sit down. We've been friends for a while, some of you are even family to me. So why in the name of all that is rational would you ask me if I support Palin?

Let's Look at a Brief Profile of Palin's Stances:
She's Anti-Choice.
She's Anti-Gay Marriage.
She's Anti-Comprehensive Sex Education.
She's Anti-Environment.
She's Pro-Creationism.

Let's Look at a Brief Profile of Smith's Stances:
I'm Pro-Choice.
I'm Pro-Gay Marriage.
I'm Pro-Comprehensive Sex Education.
I'm Pro-Environment.
I'm Pro-Evolution.

And EVEN if I didn't hold such different views from her.. how could I possibly support a Vice Presidential Candidate who isn't informed on the current status of our foreign policy, the supposed "war on terror," and the current status of the United States' position in Iraq?

Let her stay Alaska's governor, though hopefully the people of Alaska will rethink that, as she paves the way for the destruction of a large part of the United States' last remaining wilderness.

Not quite a blog...

just a funny..


Source: "Geek Flow Chart," NYT, March 9, 2008

Take Back the Night--Open Mic Night--Satori--4/17--7:30pm

Hey Guys--Participate! or at least come support!

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT --POETRY READING & OPEN MIC--SONGS, MONOLOGUES, ETC.--

Bringing Survivors, Supporters, Activists & Community Leaders Together In a Call for the End of Sexual Violence

performances/poetry should address issues of sexual assault, which could include but are not limited to personal experience, social aspects, effects, recovery, empowerment, voice, and activism.

Thursday, April 17, 2008 7:30 pm

Satori Coffee House

Presented By:

Rape Crisis Center

For more information call: 251-463-8006

or email submissions and questions to: hello2deanna@yahoo.co

VDAY on 4/12/08 in NOLA!! Tickets Available!

Ok, so Oprah ended up paying for my ticket to the Vagina Monologues and I have some extras. Anybody want to see the Vagina Monologues on Saturday, April 12th @ 7:30pm? Tickets are $25 and I have five (5) unclaimed tickets. I'll sell all five of them for $100 if you can get me cash before Wednesday afternoon. Call, text, email, myspace, facebook to claim.

See ya in NOLA!
Jamie

Event Info: On Saturday evening, April 12, 2008, V-Day will stage a once in a lifetime event - V TO THE TENTH - featuring international performances of The Vagina Monologues, musical guests, V-Day activists from across the globe including Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern Europe , men standing up for women and much more.
Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Faith Hill, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, Ali Larter, Calpernia Addams, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Beals, Didi Conn, Christine Lahti, Doris Roberts, Liz Mikel, and Charmaine Neville have already signed on. *

The evening will open minds and hearts and raise much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in New Orleans and the Gulf South.

SuperDome, SuperLove (FREE Friday and Saturday event prior to the Vagina Monologues): SUPERLOVE
Friday - Saturday, April 11 - 12, Louisiana Superdome

***SUPERLOVE ENTRY IS *FREE* ***

V-Day will also take over the Superdome for two days, Friday - Saturday, April 11-12 and turn it into SUPERLOVE.

Over the two days, the Superdome will be transformed into SUPERLOVE - a place to heal, gather, celebrate and activate to change the story of women. From 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday, SUPERLOVE will feature two days of revolutionary speakers, slam poets, singers, performers, storytelling, astounding art, and love. Special wellness programs will be available free of charge for the women of the Gulf South including restorative yoga, medical testing, makeovers, and more. Speakers, performers and artists from New Orleans and the Gulf South will appear, along with speakers traveling to New Orleans from around the world. Among the over 75 speaking and performing at SUPERLOVE are Ashe Cultural Center’s Carol Bebelle, Panzi Hospital’s Dr. Denis Mukwege, Matt Petersen, Global Green, Majora Carter, Sustainable South Bronx, Suze Orman, financial expert, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, former president of Spellman College,Stephen Lewis, AIDS-Free World and former Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, and many more. For the full schedule and list of participants, visit vday.org/superlove.

Wash, DC. March 7-March 12th, 2008, crash space or coffee?

I'm going to be in Washington, DC for the National Young Women's Leadership Conference and the National Council of Women's Organizations' Women's Equality Day & Congressional Action Day.

I'm driving to Atlanta on March 7th, flying out that night, then heading to Boston on March 12th.

Does anybody live in Washington or know someone who has crash space there? Or hell, anybody that wants to get coffee while I'm there? Lemme know, if you please.

Ooh, or if you want to go with me, definitely let me know, we could split a hotel room or something..