Wedded Bliss or Trouble in Paradise

The debate over gay marriage is getting hotter and hotter, and now some Arkansans are feeling the heat. Sunday afternoon, a gay couple held a wedding ceremony on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol. After a 29-year relationship, Robert Loyd and John Schenck are now pronounced husband and husband. "I could be jumping up and down right now, it`s what I feel like doing. But I`m gonna be calm," Loyd said. Even on the steps of the state capitol, and under the United States and Arkansas flags, the marriage still isn`t recognized by the state of Arkansas. "It was the biggest statement we could make in the biggest way. It was in response to the statement that came from the governor," the couple said. Last week, Governor Mike Huckabee spoke out against gay marriages anticipating the nationwide controversy could soon hit home. "And these folks move to Arkansas, we`re going to have a real problem with that," Huckabee said. "Well he doesn`t have to wait for them to be imported, we`re here," Loyd said. And today`s ceremony proves one point that supporters and oppenents agree on: Arkansas is no longer isolated from the issue. "I think people in Arkansas need to wake up and realize this is here in our state," said Jerry Cox, Family Council. Cox is among several Arkansans listed in a newspaper ad, supporting President Bush and the Federal Marriage Amendment, which bans gay marriages. "People say this is a discrimination issue, absolutely not. Because states have recognized that marriage is not a universal right with every single person," Cox said, citing age of consent laws and laws against marrying relatives. Some Arkansas lawmakers say a federal constitutional amendment is not necessary, it should be left up to the states. "Arkansas has a very strong law. They believe marriage should be between a man and a woman and I agree with that," said Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln. But Schenck and Loyd say the government can`t tell them what to believe. "Our love is before God and man, not the president. These are human rights, that`s all we`re asking for, not special rights," they said.