Schwarzenegger May Veto Gay-Marriage Bill

[Constant]

Schwarzenegger May Veto Gay-Marriage Bill

By STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gay rights supporters cheered loudly from the gallery as California lawmakers became the first in the country to approve a bill allowing same-sex marriages. But their celebration may be short-lived.

The legislation could be vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has expressed an acceptance of gay marriages but said it's an issue that should be decided by voters or the courts.

"He will uphold whatever the court decides," spokeswoman Margita Thompson said Tuesday after the state Assembly approved the same-sex marriage measure, 41-35. The Senate had approved it last week.

A state appellate court is considering appeals of a lower court ruling that overturned California laws banning recognition of gay marriages. And opponents of same-sex marriage are trying to qualify initiatives for the 2006 ballot that would amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriages.

The bill's supporters compared the legislation to earlier civil rights campaigns, including efforts to eradicate slavery and give women the right to vote.

"Do what we know is in our hearts," said the bill's sponsor, San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno. "Make sure all California families will have the same protection under the law."

But opponents repeatedly cited the public's vote five years ago to approve Proposition 22, which prohibits California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries.

"History will record that you betrayed your constituents and their moral and ethical values," Republican Assemblyman Jay La Suer said.

Leno had sponsored an earlier bill that fell four votes short of passing the Assembly in June. He kept the issue alive by adding the language of the defeated measure to another bill that had already passed the Assembly and was awaiting action in the Senate.

The Senate approved that bill and sent it back to the Assembly for another vote. Four Democrats who didn't vote the last time tipped the scales.

One of them, Assemblyman Tom Umberg, said Tuesday he was concerned about what his three children would think of him if he didn't join those "who sought to take a leadership role in terms of tolerance, equality and fairness."

California already gives same-sex couples many of the rights and duties of marriage if they register with the state as domestic partners.

Massachusetts' highest court ruled in November 2003 that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. The nation's first state-sanctioned, same-sex weddings began taking place in May 2004.

Vermont began offering civil unions in 2000, after a ruling by the state's Supreme Court. Earlier this year, Connecticut became the first state to approve civil unions without being forced by the courts.

Tuesday's vote showed that gay rights advocates have "turned the corner on the issue of marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, a backer of the bill.

"As the debate today shows, love conquers fear, principle conquers politics and equality conquers injustice, and the governor can now secure his legacy as a true leader by signing this bill," he said.

But Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families, a conservative group opposed to the bill, said Schwarzenegger should veto it.

"Schwarzenegger can't afford to sign the gay marriage license bill," he said. "He'll actually become a hero to the majority of Californians when he vetoes it."

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[nebula]

Praying he does overturn the bill.

[Constant]

Praying he does overturn the bill.

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That would be pretty good if he did. It is a big job! He is a big guy to do it!

[Sgtazur]

Arnold better not get cold feet now.

[seraph]

Schwarzenegger Urged to Sign, Veto Same-Sex Marriage Bill

A spokeswoman for the governor was quoted as saying that Schwarzenegger thinks the issue should be decided by the courts. (A California appeals court is now mulling a lower-court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.)

"He will uphold whatever the court decides," wire reports quoted Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Margita Thompson as saying.

But the Campaign for Children and Families, a group that helped lead opposition to AB 849, believes there's a "real chance" that Gov. Schwarzenegger will veto AB 849.

"Eighty percent of Republicans voted to protect marriage on the ballot five years ago," said Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families. And that's why Schwarzenegger can't afford to sign the "gay marriage license" bill, Thomasson added.

"He'll actually become a hero to the majority of Californians when he vetoes it. The 'Terminator' should announce without delay that this bill is dead meat."

Even if Schwarzenegger signs the bill, CCF said there's a good chance that it will be struck down, since it overturns a voter-approved law. In March 2000, 61 percent of California voters passed Proposition 22, which reads, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Hopefully he will veto it... even if he doesn't veto it because it's the right thing to do, then at least because he needs the votes from those who think he should veto it.

[Leonard]

Praying he does overturn the bill.

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Your lips to God's ears!