Resolution Number: 1994-D006
Title: Call on US Government to Extend Benefits to Gay and Lesbian Couples
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 71st General Convention call upon municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protection[s] such as: bereavement and family leave policies; health benefits, pension benefits; real-estate transfer tax benefits, and commitments to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), p. 282.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Problems

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D006)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention call upon all state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving lesbian and gay couples some of the protections enjoyed by non-gay married couples.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention call upon all municipal council, state legislatures and the United States Congress to approve measures giving lesbian and gay gay and lesbian couples some of the protections and concomitant responsibilities such as: bereavement and family leave policies; health benefits, pension benefits; real-estate transfer tax benefits, and commitments to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples.

Deputy Little of San Joaquin moved an amendment to D006.

Proposed Amendment:

Insert on line 2 following "to" the sentence "assure full civil and Constitutional rights for all lesbian and gay persons" and delete the words "approve measures giving lesbian and gay couples".

Debate followed on the Little amendment.

The question was called to terminate debate on the Little amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Little amendment.

Motion defeated

Little amendment defeated

Debate continued on D006.

The question was called to terminate debate on D006.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on D006.

Clerical deputations from Ohio, San Joaquin and Michigan requested a vote by orders.

Ballot #5 was taken on D006.

Deputy Wittlinger of Michigan moved to suspend the Rules of Order to not require the Secretary to read the no and divided votes on Ballot #5 on D006.

Motion carried

Rules of order suspended

The Secretary reported the results of Ballot #5 on D006 (Domestic Partnerships).

Type   Total   Necessary   Yes No Divided   Results
Lay:   109   55   57 38 14   Carried
Clerical:   112   57   63 37 12   Carried

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #126)

House of Bishops

The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #16 on House of Deputies Message #126 on Resolution D006a (Domestic Partnerships) and moved concurrence.

Bishop Charlton moved to amend as follows:

Proposed Amendment:

After the word "giving" delete "gay and lesbian couples" and add "unmarried domestic partners whether hetero-or homosexual" and delete the word "non-gay."

Motion defeated

Amendment rejected

The Bishop of New Hampshire moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was to concur on Resolution D006a as adopted by the House of Deputies.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #191)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 1.

Abstract:   The 71st General Convention calls upon government bodies to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples the same civil protections enjoyed by non-gay married couples.