The Colorado House erupted into an angry debate over the sanctity of marriage Thursday when lawmakers approved a measure that will let voters decide whether to recognize domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.
A stream of Republican lawmakers rushed to the podium to denounce final passage of the ballot issue, while some Democrats jeered the opponents.
“We do not need to pass this on to voters,” said Rep. Lynn Hef ley, R-Colorado Springs. “It is a mockery of traditional, true marriage between one man and one woman.”
House Bill 1344 would ask voters whether same-sex couples could be allowed to register domestic partnerships, which would give them some of the same legal rights as a married couple.
Those rights include the ability to inherit property, make medical decisions for their partner and jointly adopt a child.
The House voted 38-27 to approve the measure, sending it to the November ballot.
It could be one of several ballot questions related to marriage and same-sex partners. Citizen initiatives are underway to bar such partnerships and to define marriage as a union between a man and woman.
Democratic Rep. Bernie Buescher of Grand Junction voted against the measure, but four Republicans – Reps. Mark Larson of Cortez, Bob McCluskey of Fort Collins, Al White of Winter Park and Rob Witwer of Jefferson County – joined the remaining 34 Democrats to pass the bill.
Proponents celebrated its passage.
“This is a historic day with a bipartisan show of support for a moderate approach to provide good people with basic protections and responsibilities under the law that they’re denied today,” said Sean Duffy, spokesman for Coloradans for Fairness and Equality.
But the debate was not always moderate.
Rep. Jack Pommer, D-Boulder, said he couldn’t understand why opponents were so fearful of the private lives of other people.
“I’ve joked about it with my wife,” Pommer said. “I guess our marriage would be ruined if somebody says a homosexual couple has visitation rights at a hospital or something like that. It just doesn’t make sense.”
The debate was probably the only time this year that the lyrics to a show tune provoked a heated exchange between members.
Rep. Michael Merrifield, D-Manitou Springs, baited Republican Rep. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud by quoting “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from the musical “South Pacific.”
“You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear,” Merrifield said. “You’ve got to be taught from year to year. It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear.”
Lundberg marched from the back of the chamber to confront Merrifield at the microphone, but he had used up his time to speak. After the debate was over and the House voted, Lundberg used a “moment of personal privilege” to dispute that his opposition was motivated by hate.
“I take particular umbrage at inferences of hate in particular,” Lundberg said. “We continually hammer at each other from time to time. And from my part I can tell you there is not a shred of hate meant nor directed. My epistemological foundation is that of Scripture, and you won’t find hate there.”
Staff writer Mark P. Couch can be reached at 303-820-1794 or mcouch@denverpost.com.
