Tuesday, September, 10, 2002
Church backs bill against same-sex marriage in Nevada
A story released today by the Associated Press reports that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively promoting Nevada's "Protection of Marriage" act.
"We are part of that coalition," backing the proposed ban on recognition of single-sex marriage, church spokesman Dale Bills confirmed.
Many states already define marriage as between an adult man and woman, so the main effort has been passing federal law and state constitutional amendments to ensure states would not be required to recognize gay or lesbian marriages licensed elsewhere. Vermont has a "civil union" provision that grants to same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as marriage.
In most states, the church enlists its local congregation leaders and other local church leaders to encourage members to volunteer and donate privately to the campaigns.
The congregation has been doing that in Nevada, where a ballot drive that began two years ago was successful in passing its first general-election vote with 70 percent support. Amending Nevada's constitution requires approval in two consecutive elections, so the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage is gearing up again for the Nov. 5 election. By the end of August, the group had $523,000 in the bank and was busy raising more.
Coalition leader Richard Ziser said the group will run broadcast ads to supplement billboards already in place.
Ziser, who is not Mormon, said the issue for him is primarily one of a state's right to make its own laws without having to defer to statutes elsewhere.
"Secondarily, obviously, the majority of the groups are faith-based groups who have moral reasons," Ziser said. The Mormon church is a "very, very big supporter," he said, but the coalition includes many other churches.
Janine Hansen, a Mormon and president of the Nevada Eagle Forum, has been active with the coalition and was chairman of the petition effort for northern Nevada.
