Politics
Wednesday December 7, 2005
Homosexual Activists in EU Parliament Vow to Oppose Latvian Pro-Family Measure
Overwhelming majority of lawmakers support constitutional measure to ban gay “Marriage” in Latvia
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By Terry Vanderheyden
RIGA, December 2, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Homosexual-activist members of the European Parliament are vowing to take Latvia to task over a proposed bill to enshrine the traditional definition of marriage in the Latvian constitution – making it impossible for an activist court in Latvia to impose the measure.
An overwhelming majority of Latvian legislators – 73 out of 100 – confirmed the traditional marriage definition proposal on second reading Friday. Only two members opposed the measure on second reading, down from five on first reading. A minimum two-thirds majority vote on a third and final reading will confirm the amendment.
Homosexual activists in the European Parliament, meanwhile, have condemned the country for its so-called homophobia. LifeSiteNews.com recently reported that Msgr. Tony Anatrella, a consultant to the Vatican’s Pontifical Council on the Family, stated that the term "homophobia" is "a slogan of intimidation” widely used by homosexual rights advocates to silence critics.
“Latvia is clearly moving backwards compared to the majority of European States,” bemoaned the vice-president of a homosexual advocacy faction at the EP, Intergroup. Sophie in’t Veld, MEP from the Dutch party, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, added that “The European Parliament has to raise its voice against the right-wing and homophobic elements in European politics who would like to re-impose their backward and homophobic values on the rest of society.”
As reported by LifeSiteNews.com Friday, same-sex “marriage” is already prohibited by law in Latvia, but a change to the constitution is seen as an assurance that the law will be less likely to be amended by an activist court as has been increasingly common in Canada and the US. Fears of an impending court order to the effect were realized when a court ordered a Riga “gay pride” parade to proceed after it had been banned by the city in July.
“Despite the fact that Latvia is now a member of the EU, this constitutional ban of same-sex marriages is just one example of many of homophobia in the country,” Intergroup president and UK MEP Michael Cashman added. “All member states must conform to EU law including laws which protect citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms. The Intergroup will do all it can to ensure that the EU law is respected and urge the [European] Commission to act when violations occur,” he vowed.
To Voice support – contact local Latvian embassy:
http://www.am.gov.lv/en/ministry/mission/
See Friday’s LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Latvian Parliament Overwhelmingly Supports Constitutional Protection for Traditional Marriage
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/dec/05120204.html
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