Idaho's gay marriage ban remains in state constitution

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, the Newseum, for its display of today's front pages of U.S. and a few other newspapers.

Idaho's gay marriage ban remains in state constitution

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI
Associated Press July 5, 2015 Updated 15 hours ago

BOISE, Idaho — Same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states, but nestled in the Idaho Constitution remains the provision that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman.

The Supreme Court struck down all gay marriage bans nationwide last week, making Idaho's constitutional marriage definition unenforceable. ... However, removing the language will likely be an uphill battle. Amending the Idaho Constitution first requires approval from the Republican-dominated Legislature. The proposal must then win a simple majority in a voter referendum —a tough task for even lesser politically-charged initiatives.

Idaho is one of 30 states that amended their constitutions to ban gay marriage that have not yet take steps to repeal their amendments, even though they have been rendered unenforceable by the Supreme Court's gay-marriage decision. ... "It might be difficult to remove the language, but it's the right thing to do," said Leo Morales, acting executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho. "Lawmakers have sworn an oath to uphold the law. It makes sense to clean up the books."

Idaho's gay marriage ban has been enshrined in the state constitution since 2006 after winning 63 percent of the vote.

[yeoman6987]

1. Actually the vote of 69 percent in 2006 may look

Very different in 2015. All they need is about 19 percent to vote for gay marriage which may be possible 11 years later.

[truebluegreen]

2. Given that this is Idaho

I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage changed in the other direction (and before anyone complains, I lived there for 25 years).

[Mbrow]

3. you are not wrong,

I live here now and it is just as bad as ever. COC talk about setting your watch back 50 years...