Bush loses gay marriage ban
14/07/2004 19:39  - (SA)  

Bush urges ban on gay marriage US state okays gay marriages US state to ok gay marriages Judge halts gay marriages San Fran gaily bridges the gap Massachusetts takes that step Mayor recognises gay marriages

Washington - The senate dealt an election-year defeat on Wednesday to a United States constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, rejecting pleas from President George W Bush and fellow conservatives that the measure was needed to safeguard an institution that has flourished for thousands of years.

The vote was 50-48, 10 short of the 60 needed to keep the measure alive.

Senator Rick Santorum, a leader in the fight to approve the measure, said: "I would argue that the future of our country hangs in the balance because the future of marriage hangs in the balance.

"Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?"

But senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle said there was no "urgent need" to amend the constitution.

"Marriage is a sacred union between men and women. That is what the vast majority of Americans believe. It's what virtually all South Dakotans believe. It's what I believe."

Vowed to renew their efforts

"In South Dakota, we've never had a single same-sex marriage and we won't have any," he said.

"It's prohibited by South Dakota law as it is now in 38 other states. There is no confusion. There is no ambiguity."

Supporters conceded in advance they would fail to win the support needed to advance the measure, and vowed to renew their efforts.

"I don't think it's going away after this vote," said senator Jeff Sessions on Tuesday on the eve of the test vote. "I think the issue will remain alive," he added.

Whatever its future in congress, there also were signs that supporters of the amendment intended to use it in the campaign already unfolding.

'Protecting the Republican majority'

"The institution of marriage is under fire from extremist groups in Washington, politicians, even judges who have made it clear that they are willing to run over any state law defining marriage," said Republican senatorial candidate John Thune says in a radio commercial airing in South Dakota.

"They have done it in Massachusetts and they can do it here," added Thune, who was challenging Daschle for his seat.

"Thune's ad suggests that some are using this amendment more to protect the Republican majority than to protect marriage," said Dan Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for Daschle's campaign.

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