Same-sex marriage not favored at polls

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 10:40 a.m.

Voters by an overwhelming majority voted to amend the Nevada Constitution to ban same-sex marriages, putting the issue on track for the 2002 election.

Coalition for the Protection of Marriage, headed by Chairman Richard Ziser, launched the massive campaign, although state law already legalizes marriages only between a man and a woman. The organization saw a threat from other states who recognize marriages of same-sex individuals.

Vermont's Legislature this year became the first to approve a civil union law for gays.

The question in Nevada must be approved again by a majority vote and will appear on the November 2002 ballot. State law requires that proposed constitutional amendments be approved in two consecutive elections before taking effect.

"We've always said this is just common sense," Ziser said. "That's the way Nevada state law currently reads and that's the way Nevada wants it to stay."

Liz Moore, campaign manager for Equal Rights Nevada, said the initiative is blatant discrimination, and the organization will continue to fight the effort.

"We were really outgunned in terms of financial resources this time around," she said. "I think there is a tug of war between people who believe everyone should be treated fairly and people who are trying to define who should be treated fairly."

In other ballot initiatives, the initiative to cease fluoridation failed by an overwhelming majority.

The question sparked controversy over its confusing language, which required voters who wanted to keep fluoride in the water to vote no, and those who wanted to get rid of it to vote yes.

Fluoride supporters argued that the chemical is needed to prevent tooth decay, particularly among poor children who might not brush with fluoridated toothpaste.

Those opposed to fluoride argued that the chemical causes everything from cancer to lower intelligence in children and said dental health is not the government's responsibility.

Dr. James Kinard, who Tuesday night was celebrating with Citizens for Healthy Smiles, and said fluoride will cut tooth decay by one-third.

"This means now we can start a lifelong process of healthy teeth," he said.

Robert Hall, president of Nevada Environmental Coalition, though, offered a grim picture on the "toxic" chemical.

Hall said fluoride affects the whole body and will cause long-term health problems. He attributes the success of the campaign to "big money."

"The whole history of fluoride has been a brilliant marketing slogan, it had nothing to do with children's teeth," he said. "It is the year 2000's version of snake oil."

The medical marijuana initiative, approved by 59 percent of Nevadans in 1998, was also overwhelmingly approved and will be added to the state constitution.

The initiative will legalize possession and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes with physician approval. The initiative will also require parental consent for minors and would authorize "appropriate methods" of supplying it to patients.

Opponents include Metro Police, Nevada Sheriff's and Chief's Association and the Police and Fire Executives of Southern Nevada.

Dan Hart, a consultant for Nevadans for Medical Rights, said the approval sends a clear message to the federal government that Nevada voters want their doctors to prescribe marijuana to treat chronic illnesses.

"It's all about compassion, allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to people who are suffering debilitating illnesses," he said.

The cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City all had ballot initiatives, but Henderson's failed.

Henderson voters shot down the city's largest-ever increase in its number of police officers, firefighters and paramedics. The tax initiative would have increased property taxes by 24 cents per $100 assessed value.

Las Vegas residents narrowly approved an additional 9.5 cents in property taxes per $100 assessed valuation over the next 30 years to help pay for four fire stations, station improvements, fire vehicles and 113 firefighters, paramedics and support staff.

Boulder City approved spending an existing $3.5 million in the Capital Improvement District Fund to reconstruct streets.

Nevada voters also shot down an amendment to the Nevada Constitution to allow the investment of state money in a campaign, association or corporation to assist economic development.