Marriage Amendment rallies supporters on both sides

By NewsChannel 5 and
O&AN Staff Reports
Used with permission

(Listen to the radio ad here)
Besides deciding on big races like the US Senate on election Day, 2006, voters face another big issue. Voters will have an opportunity to decide how to define marriage in the state constitution through Amendment One.

Amendment One defines marriage between one man and one woman. Supporters have planned a rally to get out their perspective on the issue.

"We think it's really important because we think marriage is between one man and one woman and we wanted to come here to show we support it," Laurie Williams, who supports Amendment One, said.

The rally comes in the form of a 25 city bus tour touting traditional marriage.  

"And marriage, the foundation of civilization of society, is one of those things which when destroyed diminishes us all and it should be protected in our constitution," Senator David Fowler said.

But at the Vote No on Amendment One headquarters in Nashville, they're also gaining support to overturn the measure establishing traditional marriage.

"It is about exclusion. It is about hate. It's not about bringing people together, which Amendment One does, bringing Liberty and Justice for all Tennessee citizens," Randy Tarkington with Vote No on One said.

Both sides said the fight is heading into the final round. And both predict a knock down drag out right up until Election Day.

Other stops on the bus tour Monday included Murfreesboro and Manchester. The tour will travel across the state before wrapping up in Memphis.

The wording of the marriage amendment can be confusing, so make sure you read it thoroughly before placing your vote.

If you have questions about it, you will not be allowed to ask a poll worker.

The election commission has instructed workers not to answer any questions about the ballot. They will only answer questions about the voting process.

The Tennessee Equality Project's Vote No on 1 campaign has launched a new radio ad featuring the Rev. Sonnye Dixon, pastor of Hobson United Methodist Church and former head of the Nashville NAACP.

The advertisement will begin running in Nashville on 92 Q FM on October 31 and will also run in Memphis and Knoxville stations. 

The spot includes the pledge of allegiance with emphasis on the words "with liberty and justice for all" to underscore the promise of equality in American political culture.  The message represents a significant outreach to Tennessee's African American community.