Fundy Anti-Gay Push in West Virginia Fails

While I was a bit surprised at the result, I was very happy to see that the Christianist push to get an anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot in West Virginia. I find the result even more interesting because I suspect that the Christianist forces were almost certain that their anti-gay quest would succeed. I give the West Virginia legislators who voted no on the amendment a lot of credit in that they put equality under the law ahead of political expediency. Would that there had been more such legislators in Virginia in 2006 so that the vile "Marriage Amendment" would not have made it to the ballot. Here are some story highlights from the Charleston Daily Mail:

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West Virginia's House of Delegates voted along party lines Monday to end this session's chances for a proposed constitutional amendment on marriage. An evangelical group has pressed lawmakers this session to have marriage defined as between one woman and one man. But the resolution needed to put the issue before voters has stalled in committee. That prompted Monday's move by Republican delegates to force it to the full House. Delegates voted 67-30 to reject the attempt. All 29 House Republicans voted to move the measure out of committee, as did Delegate Tom Louisos, D-Fayette.

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West Virginia does not recognize same-sex marriages granted elsewhere, under a 2000 law that also requires all marriage license applications to say "marriage is designed to be a loving and lifelong union between a woman and a man.'' But amendment advocates argue that doesn't go far enough and could be challenged in court

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The Family Policy Council of West Virginia has pushed for this session's resolution, citing a poll it says shows clear support for an amendment. It recently bombarded the revision committee's chairwoman and the head of the House Judiciary Committee with sometimes abusive phone calls demanding action, and targeted Gov. Joe Manchin with a postcard campaign.

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A Democrat, Manchin has said he supports the current law and questions the need to amend the constitution. Legislative leaders have echoed that stance and also question the group's motives, citing its hiring of Republican consultants to conduct the poll and assist the publicity campaign.