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twitterGay rights group requests meeting with Gibbons
Published Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | 1:08 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | 3:32 p.m.
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CARSON CITY – A gay and lesbian group wants to meet with Gov. Jim Gibbons to discuss “the daily realities of same-sex relationships.”
The request from the Gay and lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, whose members will be in Carson City next week to meet with lawmakers, follows Gibbons’ remarks Tuesday that he would veto a bill establishing domestic partnerships.
“I just don’t believe in it,” the governor said.
The governor is allowing the gay rights group the use of the Governor’s Mansion for a reception on April 21.
Daniel Burns, communications director for Gibbons, said it would be premature to hold such a meeting. The governor, Burns said, is currently focusing on the state budget and unemployment. If and when the bill gets approved by the Legislature and is awaiting the signature of the governor, Gibbons would be willing to meet with the group, he said.
“I would be surprised if his mind is changed,” by a meeting, said Burns.
In its letter to Gibbons, the group stated: “We do not understand why you would actively seek to segregate your LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) constituents from fully enjoying the same rights and benefits that you believe some people are exclusively entitled to, but which our constitution guarantees for all.”
Gov. Gibbons, in your role as the chief constitutional officer of the state of Nevada, we seek to meet with you to explain why our lives and relationships are as worthy of the same respect afforded any Nevadan in a loving, committed relationship,” the group stated.
Senate Bill 283 was approved last week by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor and will appear on the floor of the Senate sometime this week.
Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, a sponsor of the bill, said the domestic partnership described in the bill is not marriage. “All couples should have legal protections for their relationships,” he said.
The bill would allow a person to add a partner to a health insurance plan, protect the partner’s home in bankruptcy, grant a right to collect workers’ compensation benefits if the partner is disabled or killed on the job, give the automatic right to visit a partner in the hospital and assumed parentage for children. The bill would also permit a person to obtain life insurance on a partner and prohibit an individual from being forced to testify against a partner in a court case.
The bill requires that to be valid a domestic partnership must file with the Secretary of State’s Office. A certificate of registered domestic partnership would be issued to the couple.
Discussion: 45 comments so far…
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Priceless!!!!
Nevada is confused!
Sex for money....OK
Adultery, grope a dope....OK
what happens here stays here.....OK
Jack mormon Jim on the one hand and Harry & Rory hated mormons on the other hand......PRICLESS!
Was it exactly news to anyone that Gov. Gibbons is a bigoted parochial homophobe who cares only about the Northern portion of this state, where the people (and the economic activity) aren't?
The gay people really need to take a stand in Nevada, why are you paying your taxes if you are gay!!!!, don't stand for this crap.
I'm from Mass., live in Henderson now. Mass. has gay marriage, and I don't see any difference in anyone's life or existence back East. Except for me, because my high school girlfriend, Sheila, married another woman.
I'll get over it. Nevada will, too. We just need to educate the children of our redneck parents. It will happen, it will just take time for the parents to croak, and their children to face reality....
Good for Gibbons. Tell the fruitcakes to take a hike. If your business wants to spend more of their money on you, fine. Leave the state government out of it. Move to the states that allow the homosexual lifestyle, without letting their citizens vote for it.
The governor ought to be commended for sticking to his guns against this frivolous issue.
The State of Nevada should only recognize individuals regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or partnership affiliations, while abolishing all laws and benefits that segregate, discriminate and/or are based upon such e.g. minority hiring quotas, marriage licensing, hate crimes, etc.
"We cannot solve today's problems with the same level of thinking that created them." -A. Einstein
Why do people in our government feel we should vote on allowing a minority group civil rights? We didn't hold one for the various rights denied Blacks or Women. There are right wing pundits who say they should be allowed to vote on this issue. Take it to the people is their mantra. Where would we be if the same rules were consistently applied to every civil rights issue? America would still be run entirely by rich white men and the rest of us would have no voice. Think about it honestly for a minuet.
TransAm1986 -- "Leave the state government out of it." Wrong. The purpose of the state is the protection of individual rights, and that includes protecting minorities from majority tyranny. These people have the same rights and liberties as you, no matter how many crosses you burn.
afveteran -- "frivolous issue"?? Assuming you are actually a vet, remember that the next time you make your pledge to that bit of mounted cloth. Especially that part at the end "with liberty and justice for all."
Harley -- you're wrong. It's not "Nevada should" it's actually "Nevada must." Its organic law -- what allowed it to be a state -- leaves it no room for other choices on this matter.
As for Gibbons, he got to be the governor by making a promise to all Nevadans when he took office, and it was "under the pains and penalties of perjury." That promise was this oath, pasted here directly from the Constitution:
"I, ................, do solemly [solemnly] swear (or affirm) that I will support, protect and defend the constitution and government of the United States, and the constitution and government of the State of Nevada, against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign, and that I will bear true faith, allegiance and loyalty to the same, any ordinance, resolution or law of any state notwithstanding, and that I will well and faithfully perform all the duties of the office of ................, on which I am about to enter; (if an oath) so help me God; (if an affirmation) under the pains and penalties of perjury."
Hate, hate, hate. Republicans love guns and hate people that don't walk lock step in their thinking. Gibbons, what a joke!!!
Reid supported and voted for the Nevada ban on gay marriage.
Obama is against gay marriage.
Are they haters, too?
Wait, is it a gay marriage bill?
No?
Oh, it's a domestic partnership bill?
And Obama supports domestic partnerships? And he supports states rights that allow gay marriage?
Is jfNance32 as pointless as ever?
Yes.
Anything to do with granting special rights to humans who are sexually oriented differently from the 95% majority is frivolous.
afveteran -- What exactly do you base this defintion on? Can't seem to find that version of "frivolous" in any dictionary.
So you get to enjoy liberty and a reasonable expectation of justice. What exactly did these citizens do to be justifiably alienated from those same liberties you obviously take for granted?
Although I am a straight laced person, I see no reason why, if people want to be gay, let them. I just think that people are afraid that gay and lesbians are out to try to convert the rest of the populace. Or maybe people think that you have to act differently around gay people. Or maybe people think that gay people are wrong because they do not believe in the same morals and values of as them. Of coarse, heterosexuals don't always live by the cleanest of morals and values all the time, either. I know when I was younger, and the Aids epidemic was more rampant than it is now, alot of it was blamed on homosexuals, gays and bisexuals. It put the fear of God in me about gay people. I've learned alot since then.
Oh, and by the way, if you want to consider homosexual marriage rights extreme, isn't it amazing how Las Vegas has drive thru divorces, strip clubs, but no gay marriage rights? lol.
I think it is time for change.
TransAm1986, You are a red neck idiot,"tell the fruicakes to take a hike?" Only a VERY stupid uneducated person would make a comment like that. You are truly one of the people whole are a disgrace to the HUMAN race.
By the way, do you even know a gay person?, second thought probanly not. You would be too stupid to deal with
jfinance32, Will you help pay my taxes for me since I am a second class citizen. I guess that i don't deserve the same rights as a citizen and a taxpayer. Iam shocked and amused to read some of the responses from these supid people. Do you know a gay person?
I just do not understand why Reid and Obama are not called haters for being against gay marriage laws.
Why do they get a free pass?
Perhaps, this shows the gay agenda crowds hypocritical stands.
"I just do not understand why Reid and Obama are not called haters for being against gay marriage laws. Why do they get a free pass? Perhaps, this shows the gay agenda crowds hypocritical stands."
How is it hypocritical to support a candidate who refuses to vote for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage? I guess you think anyone who doesn't believe 100% of the things you believe should be "called haters."
We're a bit smarter than that.
Thanks for being exhibit A for my proof.
A Republican is against gay marriage then is is a hater according to the gay agenda crowd.
Reid, a Democrat, is against gay marriage but he is not a hater according to the gay agenda crowd.
Oh.....I get it now....it is all about politics.
So when those people throw out the hate word then we should just ignore them.
You didn't answer my question. Try again.
"How is it hypocritical to support a candidate who refuses to vote for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage?"
Yes it is very hypocritical to support a candidate who voted for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage while at the same time calling Republicans who also support the same ban haters.
Good example....thanks.
"Yes it is very hypocritical to support a candidate who voted for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage while at the same time calling Republicans who also support the same ban haters."
I'm glad you agree. Harry Reid and Barack Obama voted against the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the United States. Therefore, it is not hypocritical to support them.
You walked right into that one.
You are so wrong.
Reid support and voted for Nevada's ban on gay marriage.
Obama is against gay marriage too.
Both men believe it is a state issue and not a national issue.
People who support Reid who voted for Nevada's ban on gay marriage and then call Republicans haters are 100% hypocritical.
Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney must beat Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2012 because they are of the superior conservative right wing philosophy in that they are pro God and Christianity, pro life, pro marriage; pro guns-second amendment, pro low taxes, pro low government spending; pro small government, pro unintrusive government, pro traditional and judeo Christian values; pro Bible reading and prayer in our public schools, pro Christians schools and private education , pro private and free enterprise; pro military spending, anti arms agreements with Russia, pro creation; pro nuclear, pro conservative supreme court judges, pro American sovereignty; pro capitalism, anti communist, anti socialist; anti immigration, and pro constitution.Barack Obama and Joe Biden are of the inferior liberal and left wing ideology in that they are against every thing that Sarah Palin and Mitt Ronmney are for and they are for every thing that Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney are against
Palin-Romney 2012 or Romney-Palin 2012
jfNance32: how is supporting domestic partnerships "hate?" Walk me through the jungle of free associations and loose logic you used to come to that conclusion.
jfinace32, Do you think gay people are second class citizens?
johnwarren7,People that think like you scare me. I guess that you are doing very well after 8 years of those progressive republicans. You must also think that that the economy is doing well to.
Are you a weapons salesperson?, or do you just refuse to face change. Oh and by the way, not everyone is a christian like that mother figure Sarah Palin.
Do you even know what America was supposed to be or do you have your head in another place like......, I won't say it
I second KillerB and huhahil on their points. Although I am heterosexual, I have many friends who are gay and have seen their struggles to be considered first-class citizens and fully support their rights. Is it really THAT hard to see them as human beings with the same fears and concerns that everyone has regardless of their sexual orientations? Is that impossible to identify with their needs to be protected and see their loved ones protected as well? These are not frivolous in any sense of the word...and I cannot wrap my brain around why government officials would deny anyone the right to see their partners in the hospital or grant them life/death benefits that they deserve after being with their partners for years. I say it's not a political or even moral issue...it is a decency issue. The decency to allow those that in all other ways are law-abiding citizens the right to live and love as they see fit.
Period.
I do not think gays are second class citizens.
I am with Reid and Obama who just think that there should not be gay marriage.
so....jfinance32 you think of gay marriage as the country did toward interracial marriages in the sixties? I guess I can work, pay my mortgage, all my taxes, pay for my healthcare also pay taxes for someone elses kid to go to school, obey all laws but I am not entitled to the same rights that everyone else is. Do you
think that is acceptable?
you need to get your head out of your.......whatever.
jfnance -- You're confused on what a "second class citizen" is.
First, there's no such thing in our organic law. That's why Constitutions forbid any law that does not treat people equally. It's in the basic fabric of this country, starting with the Declaration of Independence.
Second, since an unconstitutional law is automatically void, any person is free to exercise their liberties without waiting for permission to do it. The news is full of this constantly. You just have to look for it and speak up. Then prepare for years in court.
Yes, I understand slavery, the struggle for suffrage, and countless injustices. Government passing convenient laws for doing their end-runs around their limits is nothing new. It's up to We the People to be vigilant then hold the state and its many actors accountable for all of it.
huhahil -- interracial marriage barriers have been with us for much longer than the 60s. The U.S. Supreme Court dealt with the question of marriage between a white man and "the daughter of the Indian Pero" in 1877's Meister v. Moore.
yes, huahil and Killer8,
....both Reid, Obama and I have the same view on banning gay marriage and we all feel it proper legally and is the moral thing to do.
jfinance32, who died and made you God??, I never once mentioned Reid or Obama. I live in Boston and I am married. Are you a self proclaimed authority on morality? Who is we all?
Are you in finance?, What Co. so i know to stay away from it.
Do you have kids?, are they grown yet?, what would you do to them if they were gay?
You have not answered many of my questions.
I do not answer to you.
Nor do I expect you to answer any of my questions.
Reid, Obama and I have very similar views on gay marriage.
So.....you are just a big bag of hot opinionated air who should not concern themselves with anyones marriage?
I would gladly answer any of your questions.... bring them on!!
Do you believe that those that oppose gay marriage are haters ?
"You are so wrong."
Wait, so you are saying Reid and Obama voted FOR the Federal Marriage Amendment? That's dumb, he voted AGAINST the Federal Marriage Amendment.
Obama also called for a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. He also supports civil unions/domestic partnerships and wanted to see the Employment Non-Discrimination Act expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
JfNance32 reads that and thinks Obama hates gays?
What planet are you from, jfNance32.
I'm glad you admitted that it is not hypocritical to support someone who voted against a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. You disproved yourself, genius!
"Reid supported and voted for the Nevada ban on gay marriage."
Please show me proof Harry Reid voted for the Nevada constituional amendment that restricts marriage to between a man and a woman.
Were you in the voting booth with him? LOL!
jfnance -- It's been self-evident from your posts you don't have any more opinion than one who does their research for this Discussion by reading bumper stickers.
Your "me too" with leading politicians diminishes what little validity you occasionally have. Since they don't participate in these Discussions, and all you've done above is parrot what's here and there, your posts here are little more than white space.
From Steve Sebelius:
"But Reid's campaign insists he's been 100 percent supportive of Question 2 [Nevada's Gay Marriage Ban] and steadfast against gay marriage all along. They provided another letter to another constituent in which Reid clearly says "... I plan to vote in favor of this proposition."
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2...
Yeah, so there's a couple problems with your "proof."
First, it isn't proof. I know this is hard for you to understand, but the words "I plan to vote for..." is not evidence of an actual vote. Here you are assuming facts you do not know to be true, and writing those assumptions as if they are also fact. In reality, you have no idea.
Second, as "proof" of how Reid voted, you cite an editorial piece which specifically calls out how much of a friend to the gay community Reid has been. How this helps your cause, I have no idea.
Third, the SPEARHEAD OF THE PROTECTION AMENDMENT HIMSELF accused Reid of trying to undermine the state amendment because of Reid's stance on the federal amendment.
All of this points out the actual fact: you have no proof that Reid voted for the state constitutional amendment. You are assuming he did and stating his vote as a fact... a fact which you cannot prove.
In other words, you're misleading people into believing something that may not be true. How many times is this now, jfNance32? I know you hate Reid and all, but to make stuff up like this, to state things that you cannot prove, is really cowardly.
""I plan to vote for..." is not evidence of an actual vote"
You are absolutely right.
There is a very very very high likely that Reid and his staff are lying through their teeth.
I understand that you have a low opinion of Reid and his staff's truthfulness.
I completely understand. There is a very good chance that they are liars.
The bottom line is that when I visit Nevada which I do a few times a year, I always thought it would be a beatiful place to live and would be a place that I could possibly move to.
No matter where you go the will be different people with different opinions about everything. We are Americans and should be able to get alongh and settle our differences.
All this time, effort and money should be put to a positive use to move ahead together, not to put our energies and good money towards rediculous bantering.
We need to get along together as a nation and try to show the world again that this country is not 50 bickering states but a great place to live.
It is time to take a breath and think about new ideas. That is what each state should do now