One point, that seems to be missed by this article, is regarding the Vermont Legislature. The public officials in that state, elected by the people, decided to veto their governor. Essentially, it can be said that the decision has been made by the people.

Then there’s Iowa. Their equal protection clause is among the strongest of the land which made their original civil marriage law unconstitutional. Good for Iowa for having a such a strong clause, unlike once progressive Wisconsin where equal protection relies on interpretation and vague legal process.

It’s only a matter of time before Wisconsin goes back to its progressive roots. After all we were the first state in the land to prohibit discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation.

PS - Appling’s research should be given the proper credit its due. If I understand correctly, it is from entities some consider to be anti-gay..

“Appling also said extensive social studies research concludes that the best environment for nurturing children is for them to be raised by a married mother and father.”

Appling is intentionally shifting blame away from the real cause. Heterosexuals are to blame for children without parents and sufficient resources—mothers and fathers the ones who made them, and the ones who abandoned them!!

Appling, as the head of a nonprofit, is just on the hunt for a scapegoat to fund her job…

Appling: You just wait a few years when the children that have been raised in homes with same-sex parents and you will see that there is nothing wrong with them. Sure they may miss out on going fishing with dad or picking out that perfect wedding dress with mom. Guess what, there are a lot of children in heterosexual homes that don’t do those things with their parents. Does the research you quote take into account domestic violence that children must see? What do you think happens to those children when they see their mom being beat by their dad and she just takes it like nothing is wrong. What I think this country needs is to seriously look at heterosexual relationships and what THEY do to children…..

It’s sad to see Wisconsin STILL bans same-sex marriages.

I remember a day when Wisconsin was at the forefront of gay rights, in 1982 when David Clarenbach pushed through the nation’s first law protecting gays from job discrimination. Rep. David Clarenbach’s lengthy efforts passes into law with Republican governor, Lee S. Dreyfus’ signature on the bill. Dreyfus expressed his belief in the “fundamental republican principle” of restricted government interference in the lives of citizens.

http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=958815

But that was back in less partisan days when the parties could work together AND when Republicans supported the “fundamental republican principle” of restricted government interference in the lives of citizens instead of being in thrall to the fundamantalists.

I will never understand how allowing two people who are in a committed, loving relationship to make that commitment before the appropriate authority (judge or religious official) could be harmful to the institution of marriage, society or children. Divorce, abuse and neglect are much more detrimental. A loving, supportive network of people in a child’s life is much more important than the gender, biological link, or sexual orientation of those people. It’s just an excuse to marginalize a group that has somehow been marked as “bad.” Very depressing that people can be this close-minded.

Isn’t it nice of the Republicans to proclaim that basic civil rights of entire classes of people are best left to the whim of a popular vote?

Appling is skating around semantics. Yes social sciences has concluded that it’s best for children to grow up with their biological married father and mother. HOWEVER these studies compared children in single family homes and homes where the parents were married. What she is ISN’T telling you is that when you compare children of a hetero married couple with children who are brought up in families with a gay couple there is NO difference in those children! Here’s one study. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/514477 There are many others. Look for yourself. She also claims that not all married couples need to have families, but they should model what a family traditionally looks like. (Traditionally looks like? We aren’t in the 1930’s anymore Appling) Does she not realize that only about 20% of families are considered “Traditional?” Those of you who are hetero but have step children, or those of you who live together with kids, but are not married, aren’t considered “Traditional” In her eyes you are no better than those of who are gay. Maybe her next suggestion will be to have all of us sit on the back of the bus. That would literally stink considering 80% of us would be crammed in the back. Can you please use deoderant?.

Nothing is ever mentioned about that most, if not all, the violence is committed in the so called heterosexual family. The papers are filled of such actions everyday! Same mentality that was against blacks and women having equal rights. They are a very exclusive not inclusive club of fake do-gooders.