The Gay Marriage Ban Is Back

The Senate could vote as soon as Monday on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and across the country people are speaking out about this divisive issue. "It`s just belittling that our relationships don`t mean as much as a Vegas wedding that can happen overnight and be annulled the next day," says Chris Huffman. The gay marriage ban is back. Opponents marched in the streets Sunday across the country- from New York to San Francisco and even to Little Rock where people gathered for Capitol Pride. But not everyone agrees with same-sex marriages. Mary Crosley says, "I know society makes it seems like its all okay... but i don`t think right." But gay marriage supporters say they deserve the same rights and protections the majority of Americans take for granted. "It`s pretty sad considering we have homosexual members in the armed forces, in the senate... Dick Cheneys daughter is also a lesbian. So you would think we`d have more rights in this country than we do," says Huffman. "We`re all citizens. We all vote, we pay our taxes... they should give everybody the same rights and let them do what they want to do," says Randy Bise, co-owner of Pride Street Live. Ken Pearson and his partner have a civil union from Vermont, but here in Arkansas, their union is not recognized. They also have two children. Pearson says they went through a difficult custody battle because of their homosexual relationship. "We lost some visitation rights simply because of who we are. Thats very sad because the boys are very aware that they have two gay dads." Saturday in President Bush`s radio address he called marriage the most important and enduring human institution and said it must be protected. But Pearson says one day, he hopes to live in a country that values everyone equally. "Nobody`s trying to change people`s religious beliefs or their views. Its just a matter of treating people with human decency, love, and respect for everybody." Interestingly enough, in 1996, President Bill Clinton passed the federal Defense of Marriage Act. It says that states do not have to recognize gay marriages performed in other states. This November, initiatives banning same-sex marriages are expected to be on the ballot in several states including Wisconsin, Virginia, Idaho, and South Carolina.