In These Times: Marriage Equality in Peril

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Features > October 1, 2008
Marriage Equality in Peril
‘Prayer warriors’ battle to pass state referendums banning gays and lesbians from marrying

By John Ireland


If the Religious Right seemed suspiciously quiet recently in the fight against same-sex marriage — get ready for a battle royale.

Conservative groups like Focus on the Family and the American Family Association put up a relatively weak fight when Massachusetts established same-sex marriage rights. Even San Francisco’s attempt at marriage equality in 2004 yielded mostly tame and disjointed protests.

But now that the California Supreme Court has ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional, the Religious Right’s top brass is galvanizing its funding base. It has reportedly summoned vast armies of “prayer warriors” to win the battle once and for all.

Groups from across the country are spearheading efforts in Arizona, California and Florida to amend those state constitutions to permanently restrict civil marriage to opposite-sex couples. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3924/marriage_equality_in_peril