CattleRMe said:
theHiredMansWife said:
Cal said:
Actually most of the people in NE are fine folks, and RR would likely fit in better than CatArmy.
Having been a Nebraskan my entire life and having lived in almost every corner, I have to say there really isn't a "type". But God bless her, most of folks in this state are pretty welcoming and open minded. They might not agree with how you do something (and it's entirely likely they won't hesitate to say so), but they sure don't hold it against you.
I have also been a Nebraskan all of my life and I agree with you HMW most Nebraskan's are very welcoming. Drive in our yard and almost anyone is offered a meal. However I don't think intolerance like what has been presented here would be ok by Nebraska standards...........
E-MAIL STORY PRINTER FRIENDLY FOXFAN CENTRAL
FOXNEWS.COM HOME > POLITICS
Judge Ends Nebraska's Gay Marriage Ban
Friday, May 13, 2005
STORIES BACKGROUND
•Gay, Straight Men's Brain Responses Differ•Microsoft CEO: Firm Backs Gay Rights•FDA to Ban Gay Sperm Donors•Navajo Nation President Nixes Gay Nups Ban•Gay Minister: End Discrimination•Mass. Court to Hear Bid to Stop Gay Marriages
LINCOLN, Neb. — A federal judge Thursday struck down Nebraska's ban on gay marriage (search), saying the measure interferes not only with the rights of gay couples but also with those of foster parents, adopted children and people in a host of other living arrangements.
The constitutional amendment, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, was passed overwhelmingly by the voters in November 2000.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon (search) said the ban "imposes significant burdens on both the expressive and intimate associational rights" of gays "and creates a significant barrier to the plaintiffs' right to petition or to participate in the political process."
Bataillon said the ban beyond "goes far beyond merely defining marriage as between a man and a woman."
The judge said the "broad proscriptions could also interfere with or prevent arrangements between potential adoptive or foster parents and children, related persons living together, and people sharing custody of children as well as gay individuals."
Forty states have laws barring same-sex marriages, but Nebraska's ban went further, prohibiting same-sex couples from enjoying many of the legal protections that heterosexual couples enjoy. Gays and lesbians who work for the state or the University of Nebraska (search) system, for example, were banned from sharing health insurance and other benefits with their partners.
(Story continues below)
ADVERTISEMENTSAdvertise Here
Nebraska has no state law against gay marriage, but state Attorney General Jon Bruning said same-sex marriages were not allowed before the ban and would not be permitted now.
Bruning said he will appeal the ruling.
"Seventy percent of Nebraskans voted for the amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and I believe that the citizens of this state have a right to structure their constitution as they see fit," Bruning said.
The challenge was filed by the gay rights organization Lambda Legal and the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Project.
Lamba Legal attorney David Buckel has called the ban "the most extreme anti-gay family law in the entire nation."
Carla Petersen, a member of Metropolitan Community Church in Omaha, which advocates for gay rights, hailed the ruling.
"Every step is a good step," Petersen said. "It really will get the ball rolling again."
The ruling did not surprise the executive director of the Nebraska Family Council, which led the petition drive to get the ban on the ballot. Al Riskowski said the decision will renew the call to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Massachusetts has allowed gay marriage since last May. Vermont has offered civil unions to gays since 2000; Connecticut will begin offering civil unions in October