The Little Town That Could – Bisbee Arizona Defies Governor Jan Brewer, Passes In-Your-Face Civil Unions Bill
Bisbee Arizona, about 90 miles south of Tuscon, began as a tough little mining town known as “Queen of the Copper Camps.” In the early 1900s, it boasted 47 saloons, and was known as the liveliest spot between El Passo and San Francisco. Today it is a retirement community and artist colony of about 20,000 residents, and as of yesterday, the first Arizona community to legalize civil unions.
Bisbee passed its first version of the civil unions bill back in April, but it was not well received by Governor Brewer, best known for wagging her finger in the face of a visiting President Obama. The state’s attorney general, Tom Horne, threatened to sue over the provision of the bill that said any couple entering a civil union would enjoy the “same benefits and responsibilities as any married couple.” The attorney general said that language contradicted state law, and told the town he was ready to do battle to quash it.
Perhaps Attorney General Horne underestimated how tough the little town of Bisbee is. Yesterday, refusing to be intimidated, they passed a new version of the bill without the sentence Horne objected to, replacing it with language that allows couples to file contracts agreeing upon issues like property rights, children, and inheritances. The bill also extends benefits to the partners of city employee entering into a civil union.
The Bisbee Civil Unions Bill may be historic because it makes Bisbee the first town in Arizona to allow civil unions, but it is even more noteworthy for its “in-your-face” attitude aimed at the Arizona State government. The bill warns citizens it is bound to get push back from state officials, saying: “The city of Bisbee makes no warranty or guarantee regarding the legality or enforceability of any agreements or nominations of the parties.” But it also contains an unambiguous statement saying the city supports gay and lesbian couples and will actively work to prevent discrimination against them.
Attorney General Horne has backed down and says he will not take Bisbee to court. Bisbee may have been a copper mining town, but today, they are golden.
Photo from Bisbee’s City Data Page
Posted: 05 Jun 2013 02:00 PM PDT
Bisbee Arizona, about 90 miles south of Tuscon, began as a tough little mining town known as “Queen of the Copper Camps.” In the early 1900s, it boasted 47 saloons, and was known as the liveliest spot between El Passo and San Francisco. Today it is a retirement community and artist colony of about 20,000 residents, and as of yesterday, the first Arizona community to legalize civil unions.
Bisbee passed its first version of the civil unions bill back in April, but it was not well received by Governor Brewer, best known for wagging her finger in the face of a visiting President Obama. The state’s attorney general, Tom Horne, threatened to sue over the provision of the bill that said any couple entering a civil union would enjoy the “same benefits and responsibilities as any married couple.” The attorney general said that language contradicted state law, and told the town he was ready to do battle to quash it.
Perhaps Attorney General Horne underestimated how tough the little town of Bisbee is. Yesterday, refusing to be intimidated, they passed a new version of the bill without the sentence Horne objected to, replacing it with language that allows couples to file contracts agreeing upon issues like property rights, children, and inheritances. The bill also extends benefits to the partners of city employee entering into a civil union.
The Bisbee Civil Unions Bill may be historic because it makes Bisbee the first town in Arizona to allow civil unions, but it is even more noteworthy for its “in-your-face” attitude aimed at the Arizona State government. The bill warns citizens it is bound to get push back from state officials, saying: “The city of Bisbee makes no warranty or guarantee regarding the legality or enforceability of any agreements or nominations of the parties.” But it also contains an unambiguous statement saying the city supports gay and lesbian couples and will actively work to prevent discrimination against them.
Attorney General Horne has backed down and says he will not take Bisbee to court. Bisbee may have been a copper mining town, but today, they are golden.
Photo from Bisbee’s City Data Page
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