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Ballot initiatives pop the question
Colorado voters asked point blank: Where do you stand on marriage?
By Sean Leyva
leyvas@mscd.edu

Voters will go to the polls this November to decide on the future of gay marriage in the state of Colorado.

Gay rights activists and proponents for traditional marriage values have reached the pinnacle of their fight for marriage rights. Voters will decide if same-sex partners should be allowed the same civil rights as heterosexual married couples by way of Referendum I, as well as whether or not to ban gay marriage through Amendment 43.

“I think that everybody should have the same opportunities and rights as everybody else regardless of sexual orientation,” said Metro junior Zack Hollard.

Referendum I is an amendment to Colorado’s constitution that would allow domestic partners in the state of Colorado to have the same benefits as heterosexual married couples. It will also provide protections and legal responsibilities given to spouses by Colorado law.

These benefits include the ability to make medical decisions for one another, to share health benefits through their spouse’s employer and to allow partners to make funeral arrangements for a deceased partner.

Proponents of Referendum I believe it is a step in the right direction for gay rights.

Sean Duffy, executive director for Coloradans for Fairness Issue Committee, said that Referendum I “is a vehicle for commitment for same-sex partners.”

Organizations such as Colorado Family Action say that Referendum I will create a separate-but-equal marriage institution and will provide a steppingstone toward instituting gay marriage.

According to CFA, all these benefits are already available to unmarried people – including gay couples – through contractual arrangements, hospital forms, wills and routine beneficiary designations.

Amendment 43 would ban gay marriage in the state of Colorado, and only recognize marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Proponents of the bill want to protect this traditional view of marriage.

“I’m in favor of Amendment 43,” said Metro junior Darlene McCuistion. “I think marriage is an institution meant for a man and a woman.”

Coloradans for Marriage is a nonpartisan organization that petitioned to have amendment 43 on the ballot. They believe the majority of Coloradans support Amendment 43 and that it will be passed on Election Day. The group fears that courts will overturn gay marriage laws already in place in Colorado.

“It is the will of the people of Colorado to decide the fate of marriage instead of judges,” said John Paul of Coloradans for Marriage.

In a speech to Colorado voters who support the rights of same-sex couples Michael Brewer, the vice president of the Colorado chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “I oppose the amendment because the ACLU stands for rights, not restricting them.”

Polls published Sept. 19 in the Rocky Mountain News say if the elections were held today, 58 percent would vote to approve Referendum I, while 52 percent would vote to approve Amendment 43.