(Atlanta Mayor Shirley) Franklin joins opposition to gay marriage ban

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Opponents of a ban on same sex marriages in Georgia gained an ally this morning when Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, flanked at the Capitol by about 40 women from across Georgia, voiced her support for gay unions. Franklin said the General Assembly has become too wrapped up in Senate Resolution 595, while neglecting other matters. She said it was a calculated distraction.

"I come today to stand together with others to talk about education, clean water, health care, jobs and economic recovery," Franklin said. "I don't want to see the state divided on an amendment on gay marriages."

Late last month, the Senate passed SR 595, a constitutional amendment that would recognize only the union between a man and a woman. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee awaiting a return to the House floor. The House voted the bill down Feb. 26, but it was reconsidered. There is no timetable for moving the bill back to the House floor.

Pam Stephenson (D-Atlanta) said her colleagues in the General Assembly have neglected the will of the people, while focusing on the social issue of gay marriage. "I want to make sure that we have a safe, educated and healthy Georgia," Stephenson said. "This is about human rights, Georgia rights and doing the right thing. We must all stand up for the right thing."

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/0304/08franklin.html

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1. This Issue Will Destroy GW Bush - Thanks Goes To All Gays And Lesbians!

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