Wayne Besen pleads for folks not to forget about the marriage amendment fight in Florida. I must admit, with all the news from California I had completely missed this from the Sunshine State. Besen is just a wee bit too liberal in his politics for my taste but he raises an interesting point in this that is favorable to opponents of this proposed amendment:

The good news is, it will take 60 percent of the vote to amend the Florida constitution — increasing the likelihood that this amendment will fail. However, this means we can’t allow California to be a distraction. It is crucial that we keep one eye on Hollywood California, and the other on Hollywood, Florida. An affirmative win for marriage in California, combined with turning back a negative amendment in Florida, will take the air out of this issue nationally.

I agree with him that we need to keep our eyes on the ball in both states. However, putting this issue aside for the moment, I must say that in my opinion Florida has a more sensible approach to amending their constitution. I believe it is extremely foolish to allow amendments with only 50.1% of popular support. As one commentor here put it concerning the fight in California:

Just remember, it cuts both ways. If, ten years from now, support for same-sex marriage breaks the 50.1% mark the other way (as it likely will, in California at least), the constitution can be changed back. It’s not the kind of locked-in, stuck-with-it kind of thing that a federal amendment is, precisely because the process is so (relatively) easy.

Even if the amendment wins in California come November, the fight isn’t over. It has taken over a decade for public opinion to change dramatically when it comes to the military’s ban against openly serving gays, how will so-called pro-family groups take the news if the same happens with this issue? You can bet that at such a time they won’t be happy that their state’s constitution can be changed so easily. For now though, the fight is on and regardless of what anyone thinks of the ruling by the California Supremes, the People will definitely have their say in November.

– John (Average Gay Joe)