Pacitalia
22-10-2004, 20:22
TIMIOCATO (PPA) - The House of Parliamentary Legislation in Pacitalia has narrowly passed a bill banning marriage for same-sex couples. The bill was introduced by a Party d'Italiano (far-right wing) member of Parliament two weeks ago, but since the PdI only has 11% of the seats in Parliament, it needed the support of the other rightist organ, the moderate Capitalist Party, led by Prime Minister Timothy Ell. It picked up 77% support from the governing party, including the PM's. That was enough to pass the bill by a 54%-46% margin in the HPL. Both left-wing parties were 100% opposed to the bill.
"I just don't think we're ready for any substantial liberalization of our marriage system," Ell told reporters after today's session. "We've not explored all possible routes of development and because of that, we shouldn't rush into these things. I am, in essence, against the use of the word marriage in the whole scheme of things. As well, a lot of other MPPs have expressed their concerns during pre-bill deliberations. And it's safe to say, most of the country isn't ready for it either."
The introducing MPP, Hon. Cristiano DaPizatta of the constituency of Saronno-Centralia, satisfied one reporter's question with one finalized response.
"This is not about the government bringing religious beliefs back into the state to help solve our issues," DaPizatta implied. "If anything, it is a good thing we don't have to worry about mixing those two-- sometimes the results aren't always a nice thing."
The Prime Minister agrees.
"The people are in support of it. The people wanted it. We are not crossing our religious beliefs with those of the people. I understand that the basis of their beliefs on the issue is mostly due to their religion, but we are not enacting this law because of what the Good Book says is right."
Socialist protesters that had been outside the HPL all day resumed their strong chants as members filed out of the enormous, 451-year-old edifice. Chants like "This is one step closer to a ban on homosexuality!" and "2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? - not the government!" could be heard for at least a kilometre radius outside the grounds.
A gay couple from Mangoia came over 5,400 km south to Timiocato to aid in the protests. Their enormous sign read, "Shame on you, Pacitalia!" Along with them, there were protesters from many other liberal NS countries.
The Prime Minister, upon seeing the lead chanter yelling the "Ban on Homosexuality" mantra, went to talk to him. After about six minutes of discussion, the PM and the chanter shook hands.
Later, the PM remarked on the conversation.
"I guess they believed we were trying to start a series of bills banning homosexuality in Pacitalia. I told him that wasn't so. The only party that is not okay with homosexuality is the d'Italiano party, and I can tell you most of the country is still fine with homosexuality, and like myself feel marriage is just going too far, at the moment."
He repeated his comments from earlier.
"Again, I say the ban should be temporary, because the MPPs in my party that voted for only were doing so to make it temporary before we begin deliberations to come up with a process for having same-sex marriages in this country."
The PM's approval rating dropped 4% to 73-27, but he recovered that after the conversation with the protester and the clarification with reporters later that day, and now sits higher than he did the day before, at 78-22.
"I just don't think we're ready for any substantial liberalization of our marriage system," Ell told reporters after today's session. "We've not explored all possible routes of development and because of that, we shouldn't rush into these things. I am, in essence, against the use of the word marriage in the whole scheme of things. As well, a lot of other MPPs have expressed their concerns during pre-bill deliberations. And it's safe to say, most of the country isn't ready for it either."
The introducing MPP, Hon. Cristiano DaPizatta of the constituency of Saronno-Centralia, satisfied one reporter's question with one finalized response.
"This is not about the government bringing religious beliefs back into the state to help solve our issues," DaPizatta implied. "If anything, it is a good thing we don't have to worry about mixing those two-- sometimes the results aren't always a nice thing."
The Prime Minister agrees.
"The people are in support of it. The people wanted it. We are not crossing our religious beliefs with those of the people. I understand that the basis of their beliefs on the issue is mostly due to their religion, but we are not enacting this law because of what the Good Book says is right."
Socialist protesters that had been outside the HPL all day resumed their strong chants as members filed out of the enormous, 451-year-old edifice. Chants like "This is one step closer to a ban on homosexuality!" and "2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? - not the government!" could be heard for at least a kilometre radius outside the grounds.
A gay couple from Mangoia came over 5,400 km south to Timiocato to aid in the protests. Their enormous sign read, "Shame on you, Pacitalia!" Along with them, there were protesters from many other liberal NS countries.
The Prime Minister, upon seeing the lead chanter yelling the "Ban on Homosexuality" mantra, went to talk to him. After about six minutes of discussion, the PM and the chanter shook hands.
Later, the PM remarked on the conversation.
"I guess they believed we were trying to start a series of bills banning homosexuality in Pacitalia. I told him that wasn't so. The only party that is not okay with homosexuality is the d'Italiano party, and I can tell you most of the country is still fine with homosexuality, and like myself feel marriage is just going too far, at the moment."
He repeated his comments from earlier.
"Again, I say the ban should be temporary, because the MPPs in my party that voted for only were doing so to make it temporary before we begin deliberations to come up with a process for having same-sex marriages in this country."
The PM's approval rating dropped 4% to 73-27, but he recovered that after the conversation with the protester and the clarification with reporters later that day, and now sits higher than he did the day before, at 78-22.