We're Next

Arizona is very likely among the next wave of states that will join with all of the others passing constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. The state legislature began its 2005 session yesterday with an even more conservative bunch than before, and several of the conservative leaders have stated publically that one of their major goals this session is to put a gay marriage ban amendment in front of the voters.

Our governor even challenged them to schedule the vote for 2005 instead of waiting until 2006.

Why, I'm not exactly sure. She may not be a Friend of Dorothy, but she's always at least seemed to be friendly to gay causes. She's stated several times in no uncertain terms that she doesn't support the proposed amendment. By pushing for the vote to be held in 2005, I have to wonder if she's only playing politics (as her critics accuse, saying she's trying to keep conservative voters from flocking to the polls in 2006 when she's up for re-election), or if she thinks that somehow the measure is likely to fail anyway and this will get it out of the way sooner instead of later.

I hope her motivation is the latter, but even if it is, I'm not sure it's the right call. Arizona sometimes comes across to the rest of the country as less conservative than it really is, but when it comes right down to these kinds of issues, there is no doubt that Arizona is as conservative as any Bible-belt state. With a Mormon church on practically every block, anyone who thinks a gay marriage ban won't pass in this state is delusional.

Now that the amendment is nearly a foregone conclusion, I'm trying to decide what I can do to help turn the tide the other way. I'm afraid not much.