California Voters to Decide Same-Sex Marriage Issue (update 1)

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California Voters to Decide Same-Sex Marriage Issue (update 1)

©istockphoto.com/Damian Palus

WEDDING WAR: California's battle over same-sex marriage goes back to voters for the second time in eight years. Those opposed to same-sex marriage collected more than enough signatures to put yet another initiative on November's ballot—this time amending the state constitution.

by Thea Deley
Informify Staff Writer
June 4, 2008

California's Supreme Court ruled last month that Proposition 22, which passed in 2000 and bans same-sex marriage, is unconstitutional. Only an amendment to the state's constitution can legalize-or prohibit-same-sex marriages now.

California Gay Marriage Battle: Quick Dates

November 2000:	voters pass Proposition 22 by 61%; defines marriage as between a man and a woman
October 2006:	California Appeals Court rules against same-sex marriage; says voters must decide to amend constitution if they want marriage laws changed
May 2008:	California Supreme Court decides Proposition 22 violates state constitution by discriminating against homosexuals; same-sex marriages may take place as of June 17
June 2008:	same-sex marriage opponents collect more than 1.1 million signatures to put initiative on ballot banning same-sex marriage in California's state constitution
November 2008:	voters will decide to amend state constitution to say, "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California"

If voters do pass the constitutional amendment, it overturns the state's Supreme Court May 15 decision. Whatever voters decide in November will remain law unless the U.S. Constitution is changed.

For gay and lesbian couples that marry between now and then, no one knows what will happen to their unions if voters constitutionally ban same-sex marriage.

Gay Marriage: Contradicting Polls

Several organizations polled registered voters in California about the proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. The polls contradict one another, however:

Los Angeles Times/KTLA Poll

54% support amendment
35% oppose amendment

Field Poll

40% support amendment
54% oppose amendment

Ongoing Field Polls show Californians' attitudes toward gay and lesbian marriages may be changing:

	1977	2008
In Favor of Same-Sex Marriages	28%	51%
Against Same-Sex Marriages	59%	42%

Here Comes the Party A

California state agencies already amended marriage license applications to reflect the Supreme Court's May 15 decision. For example, instead of asking for names of the "Bride and Groom," they now ask for "Party A and Party B" names.

Clerks can issue revised licenses to same-sex couples starting June 17. That is, unless the Supreme Court agrees to rehear the case, which could postpone same-sex wedding plans for one to two months.

Ten other state attorneys general have also requested the court to "stay" its decision, or wait to implement it until after voters cast their November ballots.

Original Story

California Court Allows Same-Sex Marriage

Question for Readers:

Do you think California's Supreme Court should stay its decision until after the November election, when voters will decide to amend the state constitution to allow or prohibit gay marriage?

"We're so grateful to the over 1.1 million voters who signed the marriage petition in time for the November election. Passing this amendment is the only way for the people to override the four supreme court judges who want to redefine marriage for our entire society."

-Ron Prentice, CEO of the California Family Council
and chairman of the Protect Marriage coalition
(Protect Marriage Web site)

"Californians have seen for years that same-sex couples are capable of participating fully in society as families recognized by law. Nobody is harmed when same-sex couples marry, and everyone is benefited. "