Gay marriage amendment opposition, backers begin to mobilize
By John Rodgers
July 18, 2006
The opposing sides of a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage have started mobilizing campaigns to accomplish their goals after knowing the measure would be on the ballot this November.
The state Supreme Court unanimously ruled on that decision Friday, ensuring that Tennesseans could vote up or down on the proposal.
One of the main opposition groups, “Vote No on 1,” didn’t waste much time organizing after the court decision. Monday, manager Randy Tarkington was moving into the campaign’s office on Church Street in what he describes as Nashville’s “gay district.”
“Vote No” is under the overall umbrella of the Tennessee Equality Project. Its main goal is to defeat the amendment this November, Tarkington said, and its activities include recruiting volunteers, educating voters and raising money.
“It’s important for Tennesseans to know also that this amendment is absolutely unnecessary,” Tarkington said. “Tennessee law already defines marriage as between one man and one woman. That’s already state law.
“This simply takes it one step further by enshrining discrimination into the constitution,” he added.
