Alaska Court Rules in Favor of Lesbian and Gay Families
You don’t hear THAT every day. But today, we did.
It seems that the exclusion of same-sex couples from the property tax exemption that benefits seniors and disabled veterans violates that amazing document known as the Alaska Constitution. Glory be.
The ACLU was on the case and challenged the exclusion of same sex families on behalf of three Alaska couples who had been denied $150,000 in property tax exemptions. These couples are in committed relationships with a same-sex domestic partner, but until now have been treated as “roommates” rather than families.
Anchorage Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner ruled in favor of Julie Schmidt and Gayle Schuh; Julie Vollick and Susan Bernard; and Fred Traber and Larry Snider.
“Gayle and I moved, built a home and a life here because we love what Alaska has to offer,” said Julie Schmidt, who has been with her partner Gayle Schuh for 34 years. “It hurt that the state that we value so much treated us like strangers. It is gratifying to finally have our relationship recognized.”
“The Court today again affirmed that it is unfair to treat same-sex couples – who are just as committed to each other as any other family – as second-class citizens,” said Roger Leishman, of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, who presented oral argument on behalf of the couples. “The Alaska Constitution establishes that no senior citizen or disabled veteran should be unfairly taxed just because they happen to be lesbian or gay.”
Alaska really is a special place. I’m eager for an extended visit (vs. my 20 minutes at an airport in Juneau many, many moons ago). Congratulations.
These liberal activist judges won’t rest until God and freedom have been driven out of our once-great nation and Obama’s death panel of jackbooted union thugs kick in our doors at 2am to inject us with liquid socialism. Since you Alaskans with your loose morals can no longer be counted on to protect traditional values, I’m going to have to do what any conservative stalwart does when confronted with this and gather with my incredibly masculine Christian brothers, lay our strong yet loving hands on each other, and get all up in this piece with our tutus and tiaras. (Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I come quickly.”)
By this time tomorrow, Alaska will have detached itself from Canada and fallen headlong into the sea as punishment of those that oppose and will rail against this ruling. Sorry, progressives, but you’ll just have to suffer the consequences right along with all those people that go that the church–what’s the pastor’s name?–Prevent Women’s Rights, Prevue of Hell, Perv3rt, Presumed Guilty, Predisposed to Cheat on Taxes, Preordained to Burn?–anyway, you’re going to have to suffer right along with him because Jesus said somewhere, probably in the Book of Axes, that everyone gets the Axe!
…and in California today, more good news:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44585307?ocid=ansmsnbc11
Good on Alaska!
Congratulations! and well-done!
Oh this so gladdens my heart!!
Excellent.
Well now this is a pleasing turn of events. Very pleasing indeed.
Y’all are just a bunch of rogues, up there, ain’t ya?
Seriously though, that is really good news for Alaskan families.
WOW! There’s hope for Alaska after all !!
Wonderful news.
Here’s to families!
*clink*
holy moley!
ADT!
YAY!