Puerto Rico Governor seeks amendment to ban same-sex marriages

[racaulk]

Fortuño proposes ban on same-sex marriage

Rejects bill that would lower age to legally consent to have sex

Gov. Fortuño told a group of religious leaders Friday that he plans to consult voters about the inclusion of a constitutional amendment that would declare the exclusivity of marriage as the union between a man and a woman and to veto any legislation that would lower from 16 to 14 years old the age for a minor to legally consent to have sexual relations.

Fortuño made his remarks during a speech to religious leaders at the Nueva Cosecha Church in Carolina where he sought the support of conservative groups to help reduce the island’s high crime rate. The proposed vote in favor of the constitutional amendment declaring the exclusivity of marriage between a man and a woman would be part of the proposed vote that would amend the Constitution to reduce the size of the Legislature.

While Puerto Rican laws already ban same-sex marriages and prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions, religious organizations fear the laws could be changed by future governing administrations and thus are seeking a constitutional ban on gay marriages.

<---snip--->

Gay rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano blasted the governor over his position on same-sex marriage. “Finally, we learn the truth about his posture on Resolution 99. For months, he hid behind a language so as not to appear that he was discriminating but he has now done the opposite … It is inconceivable for a governor to support having one group of citizens abused against a minority … As the world moves towards the recognition of same-sex rights, just as Portugal did, in granting today same-sex marriage, in Puerto Rico we want to perpetuate injustice and discrimination,” he said.

<---snip--->

Link: http://www.prdailysun.com/news/Fortuo-proposes-ban-on-same-sex-marriage

I guess the current laws there aren't discriminatory enough for Governor Fortuño. :eyes:

[bluestateguy]

1. The United States graciouslsy provides Puerto Rico with protection and federal aid

It would be unfortunate if that had to change.

[Ian David]

2. Doesn't PR have the same legal status as D.C.?

If it passes, Congress can over-turn it, yes?

[sui generis]

3. Well I'm for banning Puerto Rican marriage here in Texas.

:eyes:

What is it with these idiots? And it just gets worse, the more bananas you have in your republic.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Puerto Rico is going to lose a lot of business for gay marriages and honeymoons.

[CanonRay]

5. Apparently gays aren't welcome in Puerto Rico

take note in your travel plans.

[bigwillq]

8. My boyfriend

who is from Puerto Rican, says gay folks are not treated very kind on the island. I've never been so just going by what he has told me. He says violence is often directed at gay folks. He says some even drive by the gay clubs with guns drawn, and they're not afraid to shoot.

[foxfeet]

6. So much for drinking Puerto Rican rum in lieu of Jamaican rum.

Ditch the rum altogether.

[Deep13]

7. "...to help reduce the island’s high crime rate..."

"Fortuño made his remarks during a speech to religious leaders at the Nueva Cosecha Church in Carolina where he sought the support of conservative groups to help reduce the island’s high crime rate."

WTF do conservative or religious groups have to do with the crime rate? In any event, what does gay marriage have to do with it? We can have a sexually repressed society or a nonviolent society, not both.

[TheWraith]

9. Small surprise that he's a Republican. nt