The Alaska Legislature began a special session today to address a court ruling requiring benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees and retirees -- despite a state Constitutional amendment limiting marriage to the union of one man and one woman.
Fourteen homosexual couples, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), challenged the state, demanding benefits. The Alaska Supreme Court ruled that since same-sex couples cannot marry, the state is obligated to grant the benefits -- and imposed a January 2007 deadline, which led to the special session.
Jim Minnery, president of the Alaska Family Council, said the court is attempting to create counterfeit marriage. He said lawmakers should not implement a hasty solution.
"Alaskans voted to amend our constitution to define marriage," he said. "By judicial decree, the Alaska Supreme Court is attempting to thwart the clear will of the people by mandating that all Alaskans publicly recognize and subsidize a special class of people."
State legislators must hear from Alaska residents about this crucial matter.
"This critical public-policy decision should not be decided during a hurried special session by an outgoing legislature and administration," Minnery said. "This matter is of sufficient importance to allow the incoming Governor, her administration and the new legislature to review."
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(Paid for by Focus on the Family Action)
