Wingspan's Reaction - By Mark R. Kerr

TUCSON - Wingspan, Tucson and Southern Arizona's LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community center reacted to the vote on SCR (Senate Concurrent Resolution) 1042, placing yet another proposed marriage amendment on the general election ballot.

What follows is a statement from Wingspan's Executive Director, Jason Cianciotto:

"This evening, Senate President Tim Bee cast the deciding, 16th vote, placing yet another anti-marriage amendment on the ballot in November. The following is a statement from Jason Cianciotto, Wingspan’s Executive Director.

“In 2006, Arizona voters became the first in the nation to defeat an anti-marriage ballot measure. Today, our State Senate, led by President Tim Bee, rejected that democratic process in an attempt to distract voters from issues that truly have an impact on families, including the rising costs of food, gas, and health care.

“Senator Bee is grossly mistaken if he thinks he can ride an anti-family agenda to victory in his campaign to unseat Gabrielle Giffords in Congressional District 8—analysis of voting data from 2006 revealed that voters there rejected the first anti-marriage amendment by a 10 point margin, with 54.6% voting against Prop 107 and only 45.4% voting for it. This was an even wider margin than statewide results (51.8% vs. 48.2%).

“The time has come for elected representatives and the anti-gay industry in Arizona to be held accountable for harming Arizona families. I came back home to Arizona two months ago ready for this fight. A political sea change is approaching this November, and our legislature is in store for a rude awakening. Just as we did in 2006, a broad coalition of Arizonans—young and old, men and women, Gay and straight—will come together and defeat this ballot measure, again.”