Tom Garrett on Civil Rights

Religious freedom supersedes right to same-sex marriage

Excerpts from Veto Message: Although couched as a "religious freedom" bill, this legislation is nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize. Any legitimate protections afforded by SB41 are duplicative of the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution. Any additional protections are styled in a manner that prefers one religious viewpoint--that marriage can only validly exist between a man & a woman--over all other viewpoints. It equates to discrimination under the guise of religious freedom.

Legislative Outcome:: Sen. Garrett voted YEA; passed Senate, 20-19-1, Feb. 12; passed House, 59-38-3, March 9; vetoed, March 30

Don't ratify the Equal Rights Amendment

Legislative Outcome:: Sen. Garrett voted NAY; passed Senate 21-19,

Opposes same-sex marriage.

The Project Vote Smart Voter Guide inferred how candidates would respond to the question, 'Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage?' Project Vote Smart notes, "in response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2016, are provided [for candidates who] refused to provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2016 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their parties and advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."