Gay marriage taking over the coasts, threatens heartland

The fringes of the nation are where gay marriage is most likely to gain legislative acceptance. However, middle America remains firmly against the erosion of the sacred institution. A new map published by the Pew Center on the States shows where gay marriage has been codified into law, and where it is being resisted. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Several states may have the question of gay marriage on the ballot in 2012. North Carolina and Minnesota will definitely put the question to voters this year. Maryland and Washington may have bans on the ballot come November. 

In most cases since 1998, socially "liberal" legislatures have passed controversial bills allowing the practice, only to meet fierce resistance from voters. In 2004 and again in 2006, most states managed to pass staunch bans against the practice. These bans have met challenges in the courts. 

A recent ban, passed in California in 2008, remains in question because of a protracted battle in the courts. 

Currently, 41 states defed marriage as between one man and one woman while Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont as well as the District of Columbia have changed the definition and manufactured something now called "gay marriage" in much of the media, even though the term is an oxymoron. Homosexual partners are incapable of the ends of marriage.  
Opponents of marriage as between one man and one woman and their lobbyists are working hard to add California, Maryland, and Washington to the list of states recognizing "gay marriage". Through the Courts and the legislature, they want to use the police power of the State to force a legal equivalency between homosexual partners and married people. The are persisting, even in the face of popular opposition. 

Eleven states allow "civil unions" or "domestic partnerships" to same sex couples, which afford them the benefits of marriage. States offering such a status include, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin. 

What must be understood, is that this current attack on marriage will be tireless and unyielding. But proponents of marriage as what it is, a lifelong union between one man and one woman, are called, now more than ever, to stand together to meet the onslaught. This battle will be won - or lost in the church pew, the public square and the voting booth.

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