B-003: Marriage Equality Act

[Speaker Rejo]

Marriage Equality Act
An Act to provide to provide for Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Spouses and for other purposes

 
BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, 

ARTICLE 1: CITATION

This Act shall be cited for all purposes as the Marriage Equality Act.

ARTICLE 2: PROVIDING FOR CIVILLY RECOGNIZED SAME SEX MARRIAGE

a. It shall be lawful for couples of the same sex to enter into civilly recognized marriages, so long as they meet all other qualifications as required by law.

b. No Government treatment or legal status, effect, right, benefit, privilege, protection or responsibility relating to marriage, whether deriving from law, administrative or court rule, public policy, common law, or any other source of law, shall differ based on the parties to marriage being or having been of the same sex rather than a different sex.

c. It shall be unlawful for any civil servant, judge, or any public official to refuse to issue a marriage license.

d. Civil servants, judges, or any other public official refusing to carry out their duties under the law shall be removed from their office with immediate effect.

ARTICLE 3: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND THE INCAPABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DEFINE RELIGIOUS DEFINITIONS OF MARRIAGE

a. Nothing in this bill shall be construed as to prohibit religious institutions from defining marriage, or to prohibit them from withholding religious ceremonies or recognition of same-sex couples.

b. No member of the clergy shall be required to participate, officiate, or solemnize any same-sex marriage which has been civilly recognized by the Government.

c. Refusal of a member of a member of the clergy or any other representative of a religious denomination to conduct a religious service to participate, officiate, or solemnize any same-sex marriage which has been civilly recognized by the Government shall not be a valid cause for civil claim or cause of action.

ARTICLE 4. COMMENCEMENT

This legislation and all the provisions therein shall come into force upon receiving proper constitutional approval.

Parliament will now come to order to consider this bill, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

Nothing makes me prouder than being able to stand up and present this bill today in Parliament. This bill fulfills an important manifesto promise--ensuring that our citizens who have same-sex partners who they are in love with and wish to marry may do so. This shouldn't be controversial, but unfortunately the voices of hate and prejudice are strong in our society. This Government stands for liberty for all people no matter what their sex, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, race, language, origin, parentage, creed, faith, or nobility. 

If that list sounds familiar--it's because this Parliament just voted on and adopted by a substantial majority an amendment to the Constitution of our great Republic to forbid discrimination on any of those grounds--so in essence, this Parliament has already made it clear that it supports marriage equality as denying the rights of two people to get married because of their gender and sexual orientation is now unconstitutional. Nevertheless, I believe it's important for us to pass this bill to ensure that this isn't a lengthy battle through the Courts. We can correct this injustice much more quickly with this bill and fulfill an important promise to the people that we stand for equality no matter who you are, what you believe, who you love, etc.

Madam Speaker, it's far time that we pass this bill and ensure that all of our citizens have the right to marry the person they love.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending bill? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

A group of 8 L&D MPs defy the whip and abstain from the vote.

[Tzvi Barak]

New Center Votes Aye

[Alduria]

National-Liberal Alliance: 23 AYE
National Congress for Social Democracy: 21 AYE
Communist Party of Alduria: 5 AYE

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for voting has expired. On this vote, the result is as follows:

AYE: 186

L&D: 80
NC: 57
N-LA: 23
NCSD: 21
CPA: 5

NAY: 0

ABSTAIN: 66

EDP: 55
MFA: 11


So the Ayes have it and the bill is passed. The bill now goes to the President for his consideration. Unlock!