State Question 711

State Question 711 is clear, marriage means one man and one woman. For others, that amounts to an attack on their way of life and their family.<br/><br/>Sue Barton: "That they would negate my family and

Saturday, October 2nd 2004, 7:02 pm

By: News On 6

State Question 711 is clear, marriage means one man and one woman. For others, that amounts to an attack on their way of life and their family.

Sue Barton: "That they would negate my family and the love that I have for a partner of 20 years a daughter a grandchild its extraordinarily painful."

Several weeks ago dozens of church communities held a pro-marriage rally in Tulsa to support state question 711, which would ban gay marriage. Now, a group of local churches and human rights groups are trying to get out a message against that ban. Opponents say in some ways, gay marriage is already in Oklahoma.

Rev Leslie Penrose, Community of Hope: "And they're living together as any married couple are lives together with a normal married lifestyle. what they dont have is the over 1000 rights and responsibilities that go with that."

State Question 711 defines marriage as one woman, one man doesn't recognize same sex ceremonies performed in other states and denies same-sex partners of any benefits normally associated with marriage.

Sue Barton, Gay Marriage Supporter: "its simply a matter of continuing to deny us a civil right as citizens of this state and of this country."