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Gay “Marriage” Rejected in Former Dutch Caribbean Colony

ORANJESTAD, August 22, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Public opposition to the homosexual movement and “gay marriage” is still powerful in some “traditional” societies. In Aruba, a small Caribbean former Dutch colony, sentiment against homosexual or other deviant “lifestyles” is vehemently opposed by the public whose cultural roots are more in tune with Latin American culture than with that of the modern Dutch. A lesbian “couple” Charlene and Esther Oduber-Lamers, who were “married” in the Netherlands are attempting to use the tried and true method of judicial activism to force acceptance of homosexual unions in Aruba, a country that is 80% Catholic.

Homosexual activists have openly advocated the method of forcing acceptance of gay unions upon reluctant countries by “marrying” in a more liberalized country and using the courts to force legal recognition in the more ‘conservative’ country. Charlene and Esther employed the method in Aruba, first attempting to register their partnership in the Public Registry and then, after it was rejected, filing a lawsuit charging Aruba's government with discrimination. An island court ruled their union should be recognized.

One Aruba government spokesman shows that he follows the logic fairly well. “If we accept gay marriage, would we next have to accept Holland's marijuana bars and euthanasia?” Ruben Trapenberg said. "They have their culture, we have ours."

The Aruban government appealed and is vowing to fight the ruling to the Netherlands Supreme Court if necessary. Aruba is an autonomous republic within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

We can't let this become a precedent," said Hendrik Croes, a lawyer for Aruba's government. "Gay marriage is against the civil code and Aruban morals."

The homosexual movement’s gains in the legal sphere may be advancing rapidly through cooperative court systems, but most public surveys indicate homosexuality is understood by ordinary citizens as a deviation from normal sexuality and a serious threat to the family and social stability. In Canada, homosexual activist groups expressed their surprise that polls have consistently shown most Canadians do not approve of homosexual unions or do not want the law to formally provide them with marriage benefits.

Read coverage in the Seattle Times:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002447982_aruba22.html

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