TOP STORIES
01:46 PM EST on Wednesday, November 3, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Social conservatives scored a lopsided victory
Tuesday, as Kentuckians overwhelmingly voted in favor of a proposed
amendment outlawing same-sex marriages and civil unions.
Opponents were unable to withstand the momentum gained by the
amendment’s supporters, who had help from religious organizations,
churches and even the governor.
Bush claims mandate for war, tax agenda
Kerry says it's time to 'begin healing'
Edwards introduces Kerry; Kerry concedes Cheney introduces Bush; Bush declares victory
Text of Kerry concession speech
Voters' priority: Traditional values
Long hauls on a bus got Bush on a roll
Bush turnout machine key in Kerry loss
World tells Bush it is ready for new beginnings
Exit poll group assailed for erroneous early results
GOP plans to capitalize on election gains Abundance of caution had some networks out-Foxed
“It’s God’s law that woman was made for man and man for woman—not man
for man and woman for woman,” Harold Auxier, a 59-year-old retired coal
miner from Van Lear who voted Tuesday for the amendment. “That’s why
marriage should only be recognized between a man and woman.”
State law already prohibited same-sex marriages. But the amendment’s
supporters have argued a constitutional change was necessary to close
the door on any possibility of a future court ruling that would allow
same-sex marriages in Kentucky.
With 52 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment had 621,142 votes
for it, or 70 percent, and 261,195 votes against it, or 30 percent.
Some voters said the amendment went too far.
Maurice Stepteau, 36, of Louisville, said he voted against the amendment
because he felt it stretched the government’s bounds.
“You’re still dealing with a human being who has the same needs as any
other human being, gay or whatever,” Stepteau said.
Beth Wilson, director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky,
said Kentuckians who voted for the amendment would eventually regret
their decision.
“That certainly is disappointing news that that many Kentucky voters
would think that it’s appropriate to write discrimination into our
constitution,” Wilson said. “People get harmed when their relationships
are not respected, and this means that relationships won’t be respected.”
But Kent Ostrander, executive director of the Lexington-based Family
Foundation, said the large margin of victory simply showed Kentuckians
do not approve of same-sex marriages.
“Everybody who had any rights, benefits or protections yesterday have
those same rights, benefits and protections today,” Ostrander said. “And
I would say, this is about a false right to redefine marriage for
everybody else.”
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
![]()
Edwards |
Kerry ![]()
Cheney |
Bush
Forums, Photos & More
Browse: Visit Web sites mentioned on our newscast in our NewsLinks section.
Report: Send anonymous tips on area crime to our Crime Trackers.
Contact: E-mail our I-Team of investigative reporters.
Sound off: Make your opinion known in our online surveys.
Discuss: Debate politics and the news behind the headlines in our discussion forums.
More Top Stories
Today's Most Read Stories
Man accused of keeping teens as sex slaves
Dozens hurt when two school buses and a pickup truck collide
Common heart medication being pulled from store shelves
Track your economic stimulus check
Dozens hurt when two school buses and a pickup truck collide
Today's Most E-mailed Stories





