PPNews Network:
Senator Vincent Leibell has introduced the “Support For Marriage Act” [S.6969] which will, in most cases, outlaw divorce in New York State and prohibit the state from recognizing marriages performed in other states.
Senator Leibell said, “In our desire to protect the sanctity of marriage we’ve taken two important steps. One, we have successfully prohibited gay men and women from gaining legal equality and second, if you have taken the oath, ’till death do us part’ then we want to make sure you keep it.”
The bill would allow divorce only under very specific circumstances. Victims of domestic abuse, if confirmed by hospital and police records, would be able to file for divorce only if the victim can prove the abuse is life threatening and the relationship has not produced any children.
But in all cases, married couples with children will be prohibited from divorce in New York State until after the youngest child has turned 25. Divorces granted outside New York will not be considered valid under the new law so long as either one of the couple remains a New York resident.
“We want to send the right message to our children,” said Dutchess county State Senator Steven Saland, a co-sponsor of the legislation, “We want them to understand that a promise is a promise and that nothing is more important to the health of our communities than the sanctity of marriage.”
State Assemblyman Greg Ball has introduced companion legislation in that body [A.609] saying, “I will not pander to an extreme Liberal agenda by supporting “Extra” rights for gays in order to be politically correct, while avoiding larger criminal issues for the protection of all of our citizens. Furthermore, I do not believe that the homosexual lifestyle should be promoted as an acceptable alternative of living in our schools and classrooms.”*
During a press conference outside the Senate chambers, Senator Leibell added, “While the divorce rate in New York is lower than the national average we believe we can do better. Through this bill we can support healthy families by encouraging men and women to come to an understanding that only God can nullify their promise to him and that the state will not be engaged in second guessing the Lord.”
Dan Specter, a spokesperson from the National Organization for Marriage said, “We fully support New York’s efforts to not only maintain marriage but to strengthen the bonds between men and women and their relationship with God. We applaud the Senator’s efforts on behalf of heterosexual married couples everywhere.”
However, Stephen Marker from the National Lawyers Guild questioned the Senate bill. “We don’t understand how taking food out of the mouths of the children of professionals such as our members makes marriage any stronger. This bill would result in an almost immediate reduction in the earnings of divorce lawyers across New York forcing them, in these difficult economic times, to find other gainful employment. The disruption this will cause to our society will be profound.”
* In a post to B10509 on December 23, 2005
Disclaimer: it’s a fake news article for crying out loud! There are enough clues embeded in there to tell you that but you know, when the Senator engages in gay bashing from the Senate floor you get a chance to have some fun. If he really wants to strengthen marriage, what better way than to outlaw divorce?
Popularity: 4% [?]
I agree in the second paragraph about divorce must be only applicable in a certain serious circumstances. The new law is good and be more appreciated.
Jeff,
You had me going until the third paragraph. Frankly, I wouldn’t put it past either of them to propose something as stupid as this.
OMG I totally believed this! He is just that idiotic to do something like this, I did wonder about the age 25, but I’m so disappointed in the gay marriage law being overturned in NY, that I thought it might be true.