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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-10 12-331 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 12-331 Date: October 10, 2012 Item/Subject: Resolve, Establishing the Position of the City of Bangor in Regard to Marriage Equality Responsible Department: Legal Commentary: On the November election ballot is a State-wide referendum question to allow the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The City of Bangor has consistently opposed discrimination and acknowledged the importance of the diversity of its citizens. This included the City Council passage in 2001 of an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and again in the 2009 when a clear majority of Bangor residents voted in support of the marriage equality referendum question. This Resolve, if passed, will establish the position of the City of Bangor in support of an affirmative vote on the November referendum question. Manager's Comments: Associated Information: Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for Passage First Reading Referral Department Head 3IICity Manager Page _ of _ Finance Director r Assigned to Councilor Baldacci CITY OF BANGOR 12-331 OCTOBER 10, 2012 (TITLE.) Resolve, Establishing the Position of the City of Bangor in Regard to Marriage Equality. WHEREAS, the City of Bangor embraces legal equality and fair treatment for all residents, including the freedom to marry; and, WHEREAS, though citizens of the City of Bangor may have varying views about marriage according to their personal or religious beliefs, it is nevertheless a fundamental and uniting principle of the City that all people are entitled to equal rights; and, WHEREAS, the City of Bangor opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation and actively works to defend its citizens from such discrimination, promote equality under the law for all people, and celebrate the diversity of its citizens; and, WHEREAS, in 2001, in an effort to combat discrimination and defend its citizens, the City passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and, WHEREAS, a clear majority of the residents of the City of Bangor support the adoption of Laws that seek to eliminate bias and discrimination in all forms, including the 2009 referendum vote where the majority of Bangor voters supported marriage equality; and, WHEREAS, every citizen of Maine has the right to participate fully and equally in society and enjoy its benefits and freedoms; and, WHEREAS, marriage is a civil right that has been affirmed by the Supreme Court; and, WHEREAS, the lack of access to civil marriage rights deprives same sex couples of a variety of different rights and benefits afforded to heterosexual couples, such as spousal Social Security and pension benefits, hospital visitation rights, spousal health insurance, and many other federal and state protections; and, WHEREAS, Domestic Partnerships, perhaps while well intentioned, are an inadequate substitute for marriage equality as they express a separate but equal approach and have been proven to cause hardship on same sex couples when their rights are challenged; and, WHEREAS, marriage equality ensures that the same dignity and recognition is bestowed upon all couples residing within the State of Maine. 12-331 OCTOBER 10, 2012 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT The City takes the position in support of an affirmative vote on the November referendum question to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT City staff is hereby authorized, acting on behalf of the Bangor City Council, to actively support an affirmative vote on the November referendum question to allow the State of Maine to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. IN CITY COUNCIL # October 10, 2012 Motion made and seconded for Passage Pas ed 19 cI L (TITLE,) Assigned to Councilor