Representative McDermott: Meeting with Governor provided more reasons to oppose same-sex marriage bill.

by Rep Bob McDermott (R-Ewa)

I do not support same sex marriage.

Last Friday, our caucus had a discussion with the Governor regarding the pending Same Sex marriage legislation.   I had the opportunity to share my views with the Governor and also ask him two very pointed questions as follows:

I asked the Governor, "Based on your reasoning that Same-Sex Marriage is a civil right, then how can you disenfranchise a bi-sexual from marrying the people he/she loves?"

His response, "I fully expect a lawsuit to be filed in about a year."

The point here is that he did NOT dispute the logical course of events if homosexual marriage is indeed considered a civil right.  Then all sexual behaviors have legitimate claim to marriage in order to guarantee them the opportunity to avail themselves of the newly created civil right.

If homosexual couples are to enjoy a "civil right" to be married, how can the government impose restrictions on any other "non-traditional" sexual behaviors? If this bill is passed as written, there will be a legal precedence for bisexual, polygamists and behaviors of every stripe to demand legal protection from "discrimination" on the grounds of civil rights. There will be no end to the confusion and contention created by this attempt to impose a new social "norm."

I asked him, "Have you fully evaluated the untended consequences and costs of this legislation?"  For example, Dick and Jane books with a mom and dad will have to either be pulled from the schools or show homosexual couples, thereby inculcating our youth that this is a healthy, wholesome lifestyle with the moral equivalent of Same Sex marriage.  I guaranteed him that someone will file a lawsuit demanding the above.

The Governor punted and said “that was an issue for the Board of Education....besides...if we wanted reality; the books should show the majority of children with single moms.”

Folks, I cannot make this stuff up.  The consequences are not thought out in this rush toward same sex marriage.  If it is indeed a “Civil Right” as the Governor has repeatedly suggested, then how can anyone deny the right of a bi-sexual or a polygamist to access a relationship with the ones they love?  After all, it is their civil right, or so we are told.

The proposed legislation is being rushed for what I feel is pure political expediency. It is an attempt to legislate morality, not enforce constitutional rights. It is a matter that must be decided directly by the voters of our community via constitutional amendment, not by a handful of politicians; especially those with a burning need to rush this bill through safely in advance of their re-election bids.

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Abercrombie May 2013: “… dedicated to ensuring that Hawaii’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Questioning community and allies have a safe and inclusive environment….”

Background: Beyond Marriage The Confession: Hawaii Gay marriage advocates let the polyamorous cat out of the bag