Now this is major. The Nevada Assembly and Senate vote to override anti-gay, Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons' veto and to allow domestic partnerships, gay and straight, that offer many of the same benefits of married couples, the AP reports.
The Assembly's 28-14 vote was the bare two-thirds majority needed and followed the state Senate's override 14-7—also the bare two-thirds majority—a day earlier. Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, voted against the bill the first time it appeared in the Senate. Nolan changed his vote and says he received many calls that were 'ugly, vulgar and threatening messages' from people who opposed the bill. Nolan tells the Review-Journal: "Those kinds of calls do not mesh with 'the Christian beliefs I was brought up with."
The casino industry lobbied heavily for this bill. Jan Jones, senior vice president of Harrah's Entertainment, which offers benefits to partners of gay employees, told The Advocate on Tuesday: "Most of us in Nevada absolutely support gay and lesbian rights. This is a big fight. We're not ready to give up. We want to override the veto. We’re not walking away from you; don’t walk away from us."
The anti-gay, scandal-plagued and highly unpopular Gibbons vetoed the bill to, in his words, "protect marriage" in the state of Nevada. Gibbons is currently being divorced by his wife, First Lady Dawn Gibbons, and accused of having multiple affairs.
Gibbons is such a tool. Trying to "protect marriage" while he is being divorced by his wife for all of his many affairs. Hypocrite!
Posted by: Carter G | 31 May 2009 at 18:32
I've always liked the casino industry.
Posted by: Giselle | 31 May 2009 at 20:06
LMAO at morals and values in a place like Las Vegas. Heteros just can't look at their own BS!
Posted by: Kevin Perez | 31 May 2009 at 20:40
Turning.....revolution nearly complete....
Posted by: Honut SInti | 31 May 2009 at 21:57
we needed a good "win" after last week's devastating loss.
next week: new hampshire passes it's marriage bill (again) and the governor promises to sign.
and who says you shouldn't keep pushing or lobbying for rights just because _______ (insert politician here) says it's not the right time?
Posted by: Sean Beasley | 31 May 2009 at 22:00
@ Sean:
That's a good point. We had a great string of victories and then that awful decision in California.
Losing one battle doesn't mean you lose the war. Onward ...
Posted by: CA | 31 May 2009 at 22:12
And yes, you are right. Politicians ... governors, legislators, congressmen, even the president ... don't set the priorities for our community. We set the agenda and priorities for our own community.
This is great news for Nevada and congratulations to Nevadans, gay and straight. And thanks to those Republicans who switched.
Posted by: CA | 31 May 2009 at 22:14
riiiight.. you can get a whore in nevada but it's a struggle to get domestic partnership. people are a mess. good for the legislators who overrode the veto.
Posted by: FREELEO | 31 May 2009 at 22:21
Miss Jan Jones is fierce and a well known friend to the gays here in Las Vegas. Thanks Jan!
make sure you visit Harrahs or the MGM Grand. They offer partnership benefits to gay employees.
Posted by: Marcus | 31 May 2009 at 23:10
Take THAT you evil Republican douche Gibbons!
Posted by: FST | 31 May 2009 at 23:14
These Rethugfooligans are really PERFORMING ARTS!
My goodness!
Posted by: GBM | 01 June 2009 at 02:16
The gays are taking names and fighting back.
Another overide of a veto! Love it!
Posted by: Faison | 01 June 2009 at 02:33
the most heartening thing is seeing those one or two republicans who changed their minds. we gotta take the good news where we can.
Posted by: DFS | 01 June 2009 at 12:09