Thanks, David!

This is simply not a partisan issue. We have people supporting and working on the campaign who are everywhere on the spectrum from moonbat left to wingnut right--and it’s great.

I see the issue as not just important for gay and lesbian people, but also an opportunity for the political divide to narrow a little. One of the great things about our Rocky Mountain blogger community is that we get along so well regardless of political point of view.

Is there another RMBB coming soon?

<i>Is there another RMBB coming soon?</i?

Hopefully before the smoking ban kicks in…

But on topic, one thing for Michael. Note is that it does not matter how one’s supporters label a campaign in modern politics, but how one’s opponents label a campaign. Regardless of how we who support this initiative (and I do count myself among that number) define our viewpoint, there will be those that scream about “those dam’libruls” from their bully pulpits who will define it for us.

Any thoughts on counter-arguments that you could share with the class?

Well, I would start by pointing out that the Domestic Partnerships measure passed through the state legislature with bipartisan votes in at least four committees and in both the House and the Senate.

From there, you need to segment your audience a little. There will be those who deny the existence of gay people, and they’re probably beyond convincing. Aside from that fringe, there is strong support for the responsibilities and protections that Domestic Partnerships provide, such as hospital visitation, funeral arrangements, division of property, and inheritance once they’re explained.

Ask the question why some couples should be granted all of these protections and responsibilities and more just by paying $7, while other couples have to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees just to gain a tiny fraction of those things. Ask if it’s fair that the government prevents some couples from being responsible for each other and their families while most are obligated to do so. And ask if it’s right that the state is far more likely to inherit a gay person’s property than his or her committed lifetime partner.

As with any political debate, it’s far more valid and productive to engage people on the actual issues. It’s convenient for people to paint one side or the other with a broad brush such as liberal or conservative, and there will be some people who are incapable or unwilling to have a reasoned debate beyond those simple terms. But in my experience, our crop of bloggers is way beyond that. Many of the popular national blogs are just echo chambers for very narrow points of view, but I find that our local folks actually take the time to get informed and form their own opinions--especially on local issues such as this. A propos, you can read our FAQs to get more information on all of the ballot issues we’re dealing with this year.

As for the Blogger Bash, I was thinking that we should perhaps do the next big one in July (although I’m pretty sure that the smoking ban goes into effect before then, which irritates me no end even though I don’t smoke). I’ll pop the question to some of the other regulars and we’ll see what we come up with.

As to this issue, it really shouldn’t be a partisan issue especially in relation to domestic partnerships (a contractual arrangement) as opposed to same sex marriage (an arrangement that runs through contractual, social, and religious issues). While I support same sex marriages, I also recognize how much larger a conversation that becomes.

While I was at the gun show last weekend (buying a very expensive paper punch), I ran across the supporters of the anti-gay marriage ammendment. I took their literature (although I refused to sign their petition and told them, politely, that I thought they were on the wrong side of this argument). They were circulating a list of reasons that same sex marriage threatened traditional marriage and so much of that list was simply wrong. I wouldn’t accuse them of lying: they fully believe the stuff they’re peddling.

But being convinced of a thing doesn’t make it so.

I really need to find that literature so I can write a response.