Opinion: Gay marriage rightly goes on back burner

Florida law already prevents people of the same gender from marrying each other, so a constitutional ban is necessary only if the objective is to draw moralists to the polls. To his credit, Gov. Charlie Crist says he wants no part in that.

The state Republican Party under chairwoman Carole Jean Jordan went so far as to dump $300,000 into a campaign to put the issue on the 2006 ballot. But the Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage came up short last year and will have to finish the job without party money. Crist's own protege, Jim Greer, is now party chairman, and the governor says he has other priorities.

Crist is showing his appealing pragmatism, preferring to redirect the debate from divisive social issues to the more pressing daily matters of insurance, taxes and public safety. "I'm convinced those are the kinds of issues that the people of Florida want us to focus on," he told reporters, "and I think it would be appropriate for the party to do the same, and I believe they will."

The supporters of the constitutional ban are miffed by Crist's directive, especially since he signed a petition. But they can't be surprised by either his populist priorities or his sensitivity to gay rights. He has said he supports the legal protections accorded by civil unions, and remarked in his Republican primary debate that: "I guess I have a bit more of a 'live and let live' attitude than my opponent does."

Same-sex marriage is being used as a political weapon by Republicans, but most Floridians are far more interested in safe neighborhoods and good schools. Crist is on the right track.

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by lester	05/18/07 08:06 AM
first lets get adoption passed we are the only state in america that doesn't allow same sex couples to adopt but they allow fostering of children same sex its totally stuiped thanks i hope we can as a state become more progressive as we look stuiped

by dr.bob	05/17/07 05:19 PM
Same sex marr, and adoption rights are protected under the state constitutional guarantees of equality, freedom of choice, right to privacy etc. When challenged these anti-gay laws will be proven unconstitutional Read Mass.Atty.Gen.Coakley's ruling.

by Daisy	04/13/07 11:19 AM
Same sex marriage is a right but they should not raise a child because of the simple fact that men/women are created equal but totally different; psychologically,mentally and physically.A young and growing mind is very critical to each human being.

by Monica	04/09/07 10:08 PM
Support Love and Peace...... Love IS Love, M & M, Sarasota, FL

by Jeff	02/22/07 12:33 PM
The Governor is correct by not following the Republican course with gay issues. Gay Americans have a right not to be discriminated against. Why don't we try to help out all the married couples out there divorcing?

by Doright	02/19/07 05:40 PM
Amy 2/18/07 3:36pm. Your right they are and he doesn't.

by Jamie	02/18/07 03:45 PM
The government is getting so controlling! So communist! How does a democratic government have the right to tell it's people who they can and can not marry!?!? Marriage is personal and the goevernment should not control people's personal lives.

by Ally	02/18/07 03:39 PM
America is largely diverse. There's every race, every religion, and every sexual orientation. We must alow as many freedoms as possible. Our laws can not be based off of one religion.

by Amy	02/18/07 03:36 PM
If we deny gays the right to marry, we're sending the messege to our children that they can't marry whoever they want. We're telling gay children that they're bad. That they're gross. That God doesn't love them.

by Becka	02/18/07 03:30 PM
So some people dont want gays to marry because the bible says it's wrong. SO WHAT! Separation between church and state, people! The bible has nothing to do with our laws. It shouldn't even be brought up.

by Bri	02/18/07 03:24 PM
How is gay marriage even a debate topic in the U.S.? Is this not the land of the free? I believe that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. However, that is my belief. other people shouldnt have to live according to my personal beliefs.

by Jake	02/17/07 02:13 PM
Gays can not have kids naturally without some type of medical help or adoption. If you can't reproduce offspring,then it is very obvious it is not nature's way. Even if this this is not added as a constitutional ban, the law states NO TO GAY MARRIAGE

by David	02/17/07 10:03 AM
I think Governor Crist truly has his finger on the pulse of the citizens of the State of Florida. There are more pressing issues of grave importance and Mr. Crist understands that ever so clearly. Keep up the good work Gov. Crist! We gays thank you.

by Tony	02/17/07 03:00 AM
God created all men equal? Some think they are serving him when they are actually playing him. If God gave us all choice what makes some think they are in charge of making choices for others? God is the only judge and he will judge all. MYOB

by Cory	02/17/07 12:30 AM
Homosexuality is not a mental illness, just refer to your DSM IV (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). The APA removed it years ago, just an FYI.

by Ron	02/16/07 10:53 PM
You're right John, we never see hetero people on tv kissing or making out. We never hear of heteros talking about the guy/girl they slept with the night before. Oh, and they never take out marriage announcments in the papers to show there heteroness.

by cs	02/16/07 09:57 PM
Why should 'the people' be allowed to vote on a civil rights issue? The state must step up to the plate and recognize gay marriage. There is no threat to society. Come on people!!! A couple should be allowed to be legally together.

by Rick	02/16/07 09:10 PM
You gay bashers should take a look in the history books and see who was gay throughout time. And for all you goody 2 shoes if you want to just go back only a little while, check out the lives of our Presidents. We had an openly gay president.

by Suzanne	02/16/07 08:34 PM
Yay Charlie!!! I'm so glad I voted for you.

by John	02/16/07 06:42 PM
It's all about the money. Ban gay marriage! Why cant I say I hate gays and that they should kept queit their affliction. people dont go on TV or use the media to announce that they are hetero! Marriage is 1 man and 1 women, period. So deal!!!!!

by Andrew	02/16/07 06:00 PM
Wow!! what happened to the good ole days when gays kept their mouth shut and stayed in the closet. Marriage is a union between a man and a women period. Gays should not have the right to marry or raise childern, they chosen that union so deal.

by John	02/16/07 05:12 PM
Zeke is right and I'll go one better - I doubt enough signatures get collected to even put this nonsense on the ballot. Julie's wrong - elected officials (the people) routinely support gay marriage, it's the courts that shoot it down.

by Derrick	02/16/07 04:44 PM
What is your definition of a "moralist"? If it is a person who thinks a man should only marry a woman, and a woman should only marry a man. Then myself and most Floridians, are proud to be one.

by Jim	02/16/07 04:24 PM
Julie - your comments prove that you are the one with the mental illness. Open your mind and stop being so ignorant

by Wyman	02/16/07 04:14 PM
Thank God Jeb is out of office.

by kevin	02/16/07 03:24 PM
Gov Crist gets my support 100% this sanctity of marriage crap and how it hurts traditional marriage has gone too far!!! I agree with jess on here, if your marriage is in trouble due to gay rights, you need to see a serious marriage counselor!!!

by Julie	02/16/07 01:34 PM
Homosexuality is a mental illness. We should not mistreat people with a mental illness, but allowing Gay Marriage would send the wrong message to children. You can see with the growing amount of State Bans that most people agree with this idea.

by Lori	02/16/07 01:32 PM
The so-called "family values" people want to preserve the sanctity of marriage, they should be trying to outlaw divorce -- not same-sex marriage.

by Zeke	02/16/07 01:21 PM
For all of those who are foaming at the mouth to get this amendment on the ballot, the jokes on you, you will never get the 80% vote that is now required to pass an amendment in Florida. We voted for that new requirement in the last election. HA!

by stan	02/16/07 01:19 PM
The facts of court rulings show that those "ultra liberal activist judges" are as rare as ivory-billed woodpeckers (ie, probably extinct). Since CT, WA, OR, NY, and NJ ruled against gay marriage, the rest of the country doesn't need to worry.

by jess	02/16/07 01:05 PM
If you believe that gay marriage will threaten your own marriage - you don;t need an ammendment, you need a counselor.

by Sean	02/16/07 12:48 PM
Everyone should sign the petition at florida4marriage.org. This will allow the people to vote on this issue. Then we will have to live with what the majority wants.

by Rich	02/16/07 12:44 PM
I like the "Live and Let Live" Attitude also.....however, EVERYONE should have the same rights, not just some. Everyone pays taxes! Not just married folks.

by Zeke	02/16/07 12:21 PM
To clarify, Crist rescinded his previously stated support for civil unions for gay couples the day before the election. Strange! Talk about a flip-flopper. I guess the limited amount of oxygen in his closet keeps him from thinking clearly.

by Teri	02/16/07 10:50 AM
Good for Gov.Crist, I like his "live and let live" attitude, I wish there were a lot more people with that attitude! This is NOT the governments business...its a personal thing.