Five years ago this week: Georgia’s gay marriage ban
February 17, 2009 at 2:32 pm by Mara Shalhoup in Inside CL, News
In 2004, then-state Sen. Joey Brush fought gay marriage.
Five years before the country erupted in protest over California’s passage of Proposition 8, Georgia was gearing up for its own vote on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
What a bummer that the one time we’re years ahead of California on a national trend, it has to be something that’s a source of disgrace.
In 2004, in the months leading up to the passage of Georgia’s amendment, then-CL staff writer Kevin Griffis penned a delicious story that pointed to the hypocrisy of state lawmakers who supported the anti-gay-marriage bill. One lawmaker in particular who wanted to keep gays from marrying — in order to protect the “sanctity” of marriage — was accused in court papers of cheating on his wife with two married women.
Without further ado, here’s Griffis’ 2004 story:
In defense of hypocrisy
State senator preaches “sanctity of marriage,’ is accused of adultery
During Monday’s Senate debate over a resolution to put a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage before Georgia voters, Sen. Steve Thompson issued a warning to his colleagues.
“You’re trying to out-moralize each other over here and some of you are going to break your necks,” the Powder Springs Democrat said. “Because that white horse is tall, and that fall has a kick.”
In other words, don’t cast stones if you live in a glass house.
The debate over the anti-gay marriage amendment, which the Senate approved and sent to the House on Monday, has the state Capitol boiling over with long-simmering rumors of extramarital affairs by the very people now holding themselves up as defenders of “the sanctity” of marriage. And at least one prominent state senator who supported the anti-gay amendment has been accused in court of an affair.
Sen. Joey Brush, R-Martinez, is alleged to have had extramarital affairs during the last decade with two women — one of whom, under oath in a 1997 Columbia County divorce case, identified Brush as a sexual partner.
“That had nothing to do with the vote yesterday,” he said. “The vote yesterday was about same-sex marriages. That’s all it was about, and that’s what the people of my district want to do, vote on it.”
Asked if he’d find it hypocritical to legislate morality if he didn’t abide by his own wedding vows, Brush — the Senate Education Committee chairman — retorted, “Well, I find you pretty hypocritical.” He then trotted away.
Continue reading “In defense of hypocrisy” …
February 17th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Oh gay marriage – snnnnoooooorrrrrrrre. Who cares?
It’s painful watching liberals today trying desperately to recreate a contemporary Civil Rights Movement around gay marriage. They all grew up listening to anti-vietnam music and watching Forrest Gump. You can almost hear them saying, “Man, its not fair – in the 60’s they had protests, and marches, and rebellious music – I want that too!” Too bad nobody gives a shit cause the issue turns on denying a very small subset of rights to a very small subset of people (compared to the civil rights movements of the 60’s/70’s).
If you can’t get black lesbians to support your liberal cause (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-cannick8-2008nov08,0,3669070.story) then you know people *really* don’t give a shit.
Look at the bright-side, because of all this, Sean Penn will get an oscar, beating out the much more deserving Mickey Rourke. Way to go Hollywood, give yourself a consolation prize – That’ll show them rednecks.
February 17th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
So you are against gay marriage or just a big mickey rourke fan? And yes gay marriage is a big deal to people that care about equality for all.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Gay couples should not be denied access to the civil institution of marriage and to laws designed to protect couples and families. The issue of gay marriage is about equality, civil and legal rights, and constitutionally protected liberties. This is of importance to ALL Americans.
February 21st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I believe that gays should absolutely be able to marry. In fact, they already can get married. What is the problem? They can go to any courthouse in this country and get married to anybody they want….as long as it is to the opposite sex!