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Bill doesn't undo 'I do'
Submitted by markjohnson on 2009-04-20 14:46
A bill to gender neutralize state laws would not undo the state's ban on gay marriage, according to its author and the director of legislative bill drafting.
Sen. Richard Stevens, a Cary Republican, said his bill will not affect the substance of any law. The legislation directs the revisor of statutes, a state official who makes technical adjustments in the law, to make all references to individuals gender neutral.
"It's where the governor is referred to as 'he,'" Stevens said, "or the chairman of the council is referred to as 'he'."
The state law banning gay marriage doesn't mention 'he' or 'she.' It says marriages "between individuals of the same gender" are not valid.
"You can't make gender neutral a statute specifically calling on the state to discriminate based on gender," said Gerry Cohen, the bill drafting director.
The bill passed a Senate judiciary committee, but Stevens asked that it be parked until bill drafting staff and the attorney general's office work out the language to ensure it does not affect the substance of any law.
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