Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 08:41:52 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Florida Same-Sex Marriage Bill Becomes Law
From: LarryACLU@aol.com

On May 29, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles announced that we would permit the
Same-Sex Marriage Act to become law without his signature.  The following is
his prepared statement.

Statement by Governor Lawton Chiles Regarding HB 147 on Same Sex Marriages

	"I am allowing this bill to become law despite some concerns that I have. 
I carefully reviewed this bill because I wanted to ensure that it does not,
in any way, discriminate against any Florida citizen.  I always have been a
strong supporter of equal rights -- regardless of age, race, gender, sexual
orientation or religion.  My commitment remains as strong today as ever.

	"I also wanted to determine whether this bill could be construed to impair
private contracts in any way.  More and more private companies have chosen
to extend health and other benefits to certain domestic partnerships and it
would be inappropriate for the state to attempt to limit their ability to
do so.  In fact, this legislation does not impair private contracts such as
this.

	"Current Florida law states that a marriage is between a man and a woman. 
This bill says that no other state or jurisdiction can change that Florida
policy.  It protects Florida's right to establish its own laws about this
important issue.

	"There can and should be a reasoned public debate on this issue.  I
believe that, by and large, most Floridians are tolerant and will one day
come to view a broader range of domestic partnerships as an acceptable part
of life.  But, this is not the case today.

	"This issue should not be decided by the action of another state -- it
should be addressed by Floridians.  I hope that my decision today is not
the end of the debate, but the beginning of a dialogue.  There can, and
should be, a reasoned and informed discussion on this issue.  But, this
discussion must occur among Floridians -- and should be done with
understanding, open minds and compassion." 

Larry Helm Spalding
ACLU Legislative Counsel
Tallahassee, Florida