Ark. Bill Proposed to Ban Domestic Partnerships

A proposed bill to ban domestic-partnership registries for gay and straight couples was submitted in Arkansas on Monday, just making the deadline for the current legislative session.

Rep. Bryan King, the Republican house minority leader, who submitted the bill, represents a northwest district of the state in which Eureka Springs sits. The town approved domestic-partnership registry to circumvent Amendment 83, which defined marriage as a union of one man and one woman, and outlawed civil unions. So as a response, Rep. King filed the current bill, which would prohibit any county or city in the state from creating a registry that "recognizes a domestic-partner relationship not recognized by the Arkansas constitution, Amendment 83."

King’s bill has been referred to the house committee on city, county, and local affairs. The committee membership includes Rep. Kathy Webb, a Democrat, who is the only openly gay member of the Arkansas state legislature.

Contact Rep. Bryan King and let him to know that you do NOT support this measure that continues to restrict civil rights.

Contact Rep. Kathy Webb and voice your support in killing this bill.