Same-sex marriage is constitutionally banned in the U.S. state of Florida since 2008.
In that year, voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. It would take approval from 60 percent of voters to overturn it if the issue gets on the ballot again. That would require either action by the Legislature (which seems unlikely anytime soon) or a petition drive that would require the signatures of more than 683,000 registered voters.
In that year, voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. It would take approval from 60 percent of voters to overturn it if the issue gets on the ballot again. That would require either action by the Legislature (which seems unlikely anytime soon) or a petition drive that would require the signatures of more than 683,000 registered voters.
Equal Marriage Florida last week began work on gathering the more than 683,000 petition signatures needed for a proposed constitutional amendment erasing the gay marriage ban approved by voters only five years ago.
Equal Marriage Florida's purpose is to define marriage as a “union of two persons” and to ensure that all Floridians have equal rights under the law to marry the person of their choosing, while protecting the religious freedoms of churches, individuals and faith organizations.
Former NBA star Tim Hardaway has become the first petition-signer. Signing the same-sex marriage measure comes only a couple months after Hardaway reached out and endorsed NBA player Jason Collins for coming out as the first openly gay athlete in any of the major professional leagues.
After taking into account the following requirements, you can download the petition form and send it:
- Signers should be registered to vote in the State of Florida.
- Leave "Paid Circulator" section blank.
- Signers should complete the top portion, sign, and date the form.
- Signers can include Date of Birth OR Voter Registration Number. Do not need to include both.
- Mailing address:
15820 Palmetto Club Drive, Miami, FL 33157
Hardaway signing the first petition form
Watch Equal Marriage Florida's video on YouTube
saludos el tiempo de la LIBERTAD NO TIENE NI LUGAR NI ESPASCIO
ReplyDeleteBy Dávíd Ben-'Ánáh'gín:
ReplyDeleteOh wait! Some George Zimmerman freak in Sanford, FL might mistake an LGBT couple for using their flashy outfits as suspect and suspicious of a crime and end up bustin' a cap on their a$$!
I live in Florida and it is simply too soon to do this. It could set the movement back.
ReplyDeleteWe need 60% of the vote here to ammend the State Constitution -- not 50%.
Although Florida has voted Democratic in the past two Presidential elections, the Governor and State Legislature are Republican, and the northern part of the State remains deeply socially conservative, as does the large Cuban American and Latino communities in South Florida. Same-sex marriage and civil unions were constitutionally banned on November 6, 2008 with 62% of the vote.
The measure did not even pass in the two most liberal counties in the State, Palm Beach (where I live) and Broward (Fort Lauderdale area). In order for it to pass in the state with a 60% average, it would need to clear at least 70% of the vote in these two counties, and the votes simply are not there yet.
I think the vote might get a bare majority if it were to be held in 2014 (it could go either way), but not way is it going to get the required 60%.
I would rather wait until 2016 at the earliest to have this, since Hillary Clinton will be a big draw for the Florida electorate when she runs for President. Florida might have a governor from the Democratic Party in 2014; former governor Charlie Crist who was a moderate Republican has switched parties is now running as a Democrat in 2014. He, and other candidates, now support marriage equality. This would be a huge help.
I am not sure this could get 60% of the state vote in 2016 (alot can change in three years), but it makes more sense to try then than next year.