Amendment 2’s approval aided by Catholics
Published: 11.06.08
A Florida constitutional amendment that bans same–sex marriage was narrowly approved Nov. 4, and some believe Catholics and tactics in the final days of the election helped influence voters.
“We made a last–minute rush with yard signs,” said Don Kazimir, coordinator of the Diocese of Palm Beach Respect Life Office, who in conjunction with the Christian Family Coalition, a group dedicated to family issues and education, distributed “Yes on Amendment 2” signs.
“I am certainly very pleased the way it turned out,” said Kazimir.
Amendment 2, the only citizen–sponsored amendment on the ballot, defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Supporters, including the state’s Catholic bishops, say the amendment was necessary to permanently safeguard the traditional institution of marriage. Though opponents argued the constitutional language was unnecessary because state law already bans same–sex marriage, supporters countered that state laws can be changed or overturned by lawmakers and the courts.
The Catholic vote was a key factor in pushing “yes” votes for the amendment over the 60 percent mark that was required for its passage, said Florida Catholic Conference executive director D. Michael McCarron, citing figures from the Catholic League, a New York–based national Catholic civil rights organization.
“According to the Catholic League, the Catholic vote in Florida proved to be controlling,” said McCarron. “Overall, the ban on gay marriage won by 62 percent to 38 percent, but among Catholics it was 66 percent to 34 percent.”
What does the passing of this amendment mean?
“It means that the only people who can get married in Florida are a man and woman,” Kazimir simply stated.
Opponents conceded that that part of the amendment was clear, but claimed defining marriage that way violates the rights of gays and lesbians. They argued that a second part of the amendment, which states that nothing that is the substantial equivalent of marriage will be recognized in Florida, was unclear. That second part of the amendment led to the onslaught of advertising suggesting it would nullify civil unions and domestic partnerships that allow both same–sex and heterosexual unmarried couples to share things such as employer health benefits and hospital visitation privileges.
McCarron said such claims were unfounded.
“The bishops’ support for Amendment 2 was not motivated by discrimination or animosity toward gays and lesbians,” said McCarron, whose organization is the public policy arm of the bishops. “Contrary to what may have been stated in the media, this amendment would change no existing laws or ordinances. It would not prevent cities or counties from passing ordinances allowing people in so–called civil unions, or any other living arrangements, to obtain health or other benefits for their partners.”
Some said the results indicate that the majority of voters hold to traditional values and the teaching of the church that God’s creation of marriage is the sacred union of a man and woman.
“Sixty–two percent of voters expressed their support for amending the Florida Constitution to state that marriage is the legal union of one man and one woman,” said attorney Mark Miller, a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Lawyers’ Guild in Stuart.
According to McCarron, the bishops were in support of the amendment primarily because it affirms Florida’s existing Florida marriage law, and also because it protects traditional marriage from being negated or overturned by legislative process or judicial ruling.
“When the bishops first publicly stated their support for the amendment, there were 10 lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Florida’s law,” he told the Florida Catholic. “The bishops see that both the common good and the future of our society are served best through the traditional understanding of marriage, and they also understand that research and history support the traditional family as the best environment to nurture and raise healthy children. They see the amendment as protecting the institution of marriage, both in our state and contributing to its protection in our country.”
McCarron said the bishops and the many volunteers who spent time and effort on working toward the amendment effort are “gratified at the passage of Amendment 2.”
Jim Berry of St. Mark Parish in Boynton Beach has been married for 39 years and has two children and four grandchildren. He talked to the Florida Catholic about Amendment 2, and said its passage was, to him, “the one bright spot” about Tuesday’s elections.
“My wife and I were filled with joy as the final count came in,” Berry said. Finally Florida has defined marriage as God has always defined it. What a shame it took a constitutional amendment to do this.”
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