Yes on Referendum I - Equal Protection - Equal Rights

"We must conclude that Amendment 2 classifies homosexuals not to further a proper legislative end but to make them unequal to everyone else. This Colorado cannot do. A State cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws..." Supreme Court Justice Kennedy writing for the majority, re: Romer v. Evans (1996)

Referendum I

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Revised Statutes to authorize domestic partnerships, and, in connection therewith, enacting the "Colorado Domestic Partnership Benefits And Responsibilities Act" to extend to same-sex couples in a domestic partnership the benefits, protections, and responsibilities that are granted by Colorado law to spouses, providing the conditions under which a license for a domestic partnership may be issued and the criteria under which a domestic partnership may be dissolved, making provisions for implementation of the act, and providing that a domestic partnership is not a marriage, which consists of the union of one man and one woman.

David and I will celebrate our twenty-fourth anniversary this November. In those twenty-four years we have

purchased two homes
raised six (four-legged) children, grieved the loss of five
paid our taxes
laughed, cried
mowed the lawn in summer and shoveled the walk in winter
shopped for groceries once a week
helped our neighbors
endured together the 120 days (each and every day) my mother suffered 'til death from a stroke
endured together the loss of my father
worked hard in our careers, reaching significant positions
supported our community, our parks
caregivers to one another in sickness, surgeries
grumbled about politics and politicians
made wills, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney
saved for our retirements
remodeled our house
landscaped our yard
voted, voted, voted
shared joy, sorrow, ups, downs
valued the preciousness of friends
valued the preciousness of family
marveled at the beauty and brightness and miracle of nephews and nieces and grand-nephews and grand-nieces

And, we have loved and shared. We have been as one for all these years. How, dare I ask, does this threaten a good marriage between a man and a woman? Why, dare I ask, is Justice Kennedy's wisdom not as relevant today as it was a decade ago?

"A State cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws..."