Marriage Equality
We, The Green Party of Arkansas in accordance with the United States Green Party 2000 & 2004 Platform; the Declaration of Independence; the Constitution of the U.S.; and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declare Gays, Lesbians, Bi-Sexuals, Transgenders, and all individuals identifying as Queer have the right to marry and be afforded all the social, economic, and familial benefits of marriage.
Freedom to marry is a huge part of the Pursuit of Happiness.
None of the amendments to our Constitution restrict or deny individual freedoms. They protect the freedoms of individuals. The proposed Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J.Resa.56/S.J.Res.26) and the Protection of Marriage Act (POMA) would deny all protection for millions of people in committed long-term relationships whether gay or straight. The amendment would also invalidate all state and local domestic partnership laws and nullify civil rights protections based on marital status.
Greens believe it is wrong to deprive people of this fundamental American right based solely on their sexual orientation. Tradition does not justify discrimination. Not long ago, marriage was traditionally limited to members of the same race and religion, and married women were virtually the legal property of their husbands; which is still defined in the Webster’s Dictionary under ‘wife’.
Gays and Lesbians serve in the military and die for our country; working as firefighters and police officers they protect our communities; as medical staff they treat the sick; and as clergy they help us find our spiritual center. GLBT individuals help build our cities for a better economy; and pay taxes. Yet, they are not afforded the right to marry, which excludes them from legal rights in pensions, health insurance, hospital visitations and inheritance that heterosexual married couples enjoy. Individual liberty and personal autonomy should allow citizens to freely choose a life partner whether gay or straight. Marriage will strengthen the values of commitment, stability and family in the gay community.
Legalizing same-sex civil marriage will not require any religion to perform or recognize these marriages. Civil and religious marriages are two separate institutions. Civil marriage binds a couple in a legal contract consisting of obligations and benefits. While some religions provide ceremonial services for same-sex couples, the unions do not receive legal recognition.
Civil marriage will ensure “children and adults are cared for and supported whenever possible from private rather than public funds.” Thousands of children are being raised by loving same-sex couples from East to West. The court notes that “These children should not be penalized or deprived benefits and protections because of their parents’ sexual orientation”.
Let’s make sure there IS – ‘No Child Left Behind’ with ‘Equality for all’.
“We can work together for a better world, to do so effectively, the world needs a global ethic with values which give meaning to life experiences and sustain humanity. Mankind’s universal values of love, compassion, solidarity, caring and tolerance and acceptance should form the basis for this global ethic which should permeate culture politics, trade, religion and philosophy.”
- Wangari Maathai
We, as Greens, are only as powerful as that for which we stand.
And, in our passion for ‘Equality for All in rights and freedoms’, let us remember those who have stood for the rights that we now enjoy; And carry ‘their passion with ours’ as we stand for the right we feel we are born with as Americans,
‘The Right to Marry our Partner of Choice’
Green Party of Arkansas
