Congratulations to Colorado Republican House Representative BJ
Nikkel who sided with Democrats on the Colorado House Judiciary
Committee to approve
Senate Bill 2, which would permit same-sex (as long as
opposite-sex) civil unions in the state. The Committee’s approval
does not guarantee that the measure will get to a full House vote,
as it needs to pass two more committees, as well as minor but
potentially terminal procedural issues, in a Republican-controlled
chamber nearing the end of this year’s legislative session.
The bill includes some sensible provisions:
“A priest, minister, rabbi, or other official of a religious
institution or denomination or an Indian nation or tribe is not
required to certify a civil union in violation of his or her right
to free exercise of religion.”
Parties to a civil union will have many or most of the same
responsibilities and rights of married people, including
responsibility for financial support,…the ability to inherit
property,…the ability to adopt a child,…survivor
benefits,…medical directives,…dependent coverage on life and
health insurance.
The measure was clearly written with the intention of getting at
least a modicum of Republican support, with these key caveats in
the legislation itself:
“The Act shall not be construed to create a marriage between the
parties to a civil union or alter the public policy of this state
that recognizes only the union of one man and one woman as a
marriage. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the
Act shall not be interpreted to require a child placement agency to
place a child for adoption with parties to a civil union.”
I share Rep. Nikkel’s commendable view: “It’s not
something I’m passionate about, but I think we ought
to move forward and bring it to a vote in the House.”
In particular, I would in fact prefer not to have government
involved in marriage in any way, and then allow any two people to
make any contract they want to (as long as it’s not a contract
aimed to illegally hurt someone else.)
But as long as government has its nose in our private business,
I believe there should be “equal protection” regardless of sexual
preference.
Furthermore, this is smart politics for Republicans…and
especially here in Colorado where two of the biggest funders of
leftist candidates are (or have been) gay men: Tim Gill and Jared
Polis. While Polis is now in Congress and much less involved in
Colorado state-level politics, Mr. Gill remains very active and
highly motivated by “gay rights” issues.
[For the record, I don’t believe in gay rights or black rights
or Jewish rights or any other rights granted to groups. We have our
rights as individual human beings and Americans, not as members of
“victim” groups or other politically-targeted segments of
society.]
Neutralizing not just Mr. Gill (on this issue, at least) is a
good thing. But it’s certainly not the only thing. Whether it’s
civil unions or hawkish immigration rhetoric, Republicans too often
look intolerant and xenophobic. And it hurts the GOP at the ballot
box, so that we’re stuck with Democratic policies in other
important areas of government, such as taxation and spending.
I hope that BJ Nikkel is rewarded in her next election, to give
some other Republicans the backbone to do what’s right, both
morally and politically. I realize this was a tough vote for her,
and that more “conservative” and religiously-motivated Republican
politicians may disagree for deeply-felt reasons. But for those who
vote against civil unions and vote in other ways which cause the
GOP reputation for being a party of straight, old white men to
persist, I encourage you to ask yourself whether you truly believe
your vote or whether you think it’s just what you’re supposed to
do, under pressure from a vocal minority intent on imposing
morality through government.
It remains uncertain whether this bill will pass (or even reach)
the other House committees needed to get to a full floor vote,
where it would likely pass given Rep. Nikkel’s support. I hope
there are a few other courageous Republicans on those committees.
It’s time…past time…to get this done, for reasons of both
principle and politics.
