The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
TALLAHASSEE — A proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay and lesbian marriage was compared Wednesday with amendments prohibiting pregnant pigs and creating high-speed rail.
Patricia Ireland, former president of the National Organization for Women, told Tallahassee's Capital Tiger Bay Club that the amendment is yet another example of something that should not be in the Florida Constitution.
"There are more important things that belong in our Constitution," Ireland said, noting that passage of the amendment would result in dozens of lawsuits against governmental agencies that now provide benefits for unmarried Floridians.
Orlando lawyer John Stemberger said the amendment is needed to protect marriage from the possibility of future court decisions that might recognize gay marriages.
The amendment would put existing law into the state Constitution and guard against polygamy and group marriage, Stemberger insisted.
"Children need a mom and a dad," Stemberger insisted. "The research is clear. Where ever a mother and father are present, social maladies are lower and children are happier and more successful."
Ireland said the amendment would disrupt the lives of more than 269,000 unmarried Floridians who live together and benefit from legal benefits and rights. She estimated that only 41,000 of them are actually gay and lesbian couples.
A straw poll taken by those attending the lunch saw Tiger Bay members voting 4-1 against the proposed amendment, which is on the November ballot.
[Last modified: Mar 28, 2008 01:25 PM]
Comments on this article
by James
Mar 28, 2008 8:48 AM
Mr. Stemberger needs to do his research. The Amer.Academy of Pediatrics showed there was NO difference between gay and straight families. The children turn out the same. If families are so great why is the divorce rate over 50%. Get your facts r
by James
Mar 28, 2008 8:47 AM
Once again the minority hiding behind the bible. I wish I could be there when God judges them. The must live in plexiglass houses. Btw, isn't it mostly clergy getting caught in sexually compromising situations anyway. You bunch of hippocrites.
by John
Mar 27, 2008 6:10 PM
She estimates only 41,000 in Florida? Heck, they have that many in Fort Lauderdale!
by Equal rights
Mar 27, 2008 2:11 PM
Our Constitution provides for equal rights. This means that clerks must issue marriage licenses to straights as well as gays. Christians have the option to marry without a license. They may marry the opposite sex by going directly to Jesus Christ!
by Kay
Mar 27, 2008 1:50 PM
Exactly Ryan, unless our state government wants to issue more apologies in the future...
by Ryan
Mar 27, 2008 9:26 AM
Lets hope the citzens of this state reject this amendment overwhelmingly...its a huge set back for this state and on human rights.
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