Kansas to vote on adding gay marriage ban to state constitution News
Kansas to vote on adding gay marriage ban to state constitution

[JURIST] Kansas voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. Kansas law already prohibits gay marriage but supporters claim the ban must be put into the Kansas Constitution [text] to avoid any legal challenges. The chief argument in favor of placing the ban in the Kansas constitution is the recent decision by a San Francisco judge who ruled California's ban of gay marriage violates California's constitution [JURIST story]. If the ban is approved, Kansas would become the 18th state with a prohibition of gay marriage in its constitution. Amendment opponents [Kansans for Fairness advocacy website] claim the new measure is oppressive. Voters are expected to approve the ban overwhelmingly. The Wichita Eagle has local coverage. Read the text of the proposed amendment. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade

Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Read Pope Urban's address.  

Catholic Code of Canon Law revised

On November 27, 1983, the revised Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect. Learn more about the history of Canon Law from Professor Kenneth Pennington of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law.

Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will

On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the Nobel Prize. Learn more about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.