By Melinda Dudley
BRUIN Senior Staff
mdudley@media.ucla.edu
In the weeks after the California Legislature passed a bill that
would legalize same-sex marriage in the state, and while awaiting
the governor’s promised veto of the measure, student
advocates say they are disappointed but will continue to fight for
the right of gays and lesbians to marry.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Sept. 7 his intent to veto
AB 849, saying California voters showed their disapproval of
same-sex marriage when they passed Proposition 22 five years ago,
which prevents California from recognizing same-sex marriages
performed in other states.
“We cannot have a system where the people vote and the
Legislature derails that vote,” said press secretary Margita
Thompson in a statement. “Out of respect for the will of the
people, the governor will veto (the bill).”
Since the passage of Proposition 22, California courts have
ruled in cases that define marriage as strictly between a man and
woman violate the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples.
Second-year political science student Gabe Rose, president of
the Student Coalition for Marriage Equality, was present in the
legislature at the time of the vote and helped to lobby
lawmakers.
Members of the club, along with other gay rights activists, are
now trying to reach the governor’s office and urge him to
reconsider his announced intention to veto.
The details of AB 849 include the elimination of gender-specific
language in the state’s definition of marriage and family
laws, defining marriage as a civil union between two persons
instead of between a man and a woman.
The bill also includes a clause stating that no religious
official will be required to perform same-sex ceremonies if they
feel it is in violation of their beliefs.
Schwarzenegger has until Oct. 9 to veto or sign the bill.
However, the outlook doesn’t look good for supporters of gay
rights, Rose said.
“He’s really pandering to his base right now,
because he wants to get re-elected,” he said.
Schwarzenegger formally announced his re-election bid Sept. 16,
and legalizing same-sex marriage would likely cause an outcry among
conservative voters.
Despite Schwarzenegger’s threatened veto, AB 849 is a
landmark in the controversy over same-sex marriage.
The California Legislature became the first legislative body in
the country to endorse same-sex marriage. The state senate passed
the bill Sept. 1 by a 21-15 vote, and the Assembly voted 41-35 on
Sept. 6.
A previous version of the bill, AB 19, authored by assemblyman
Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), was narrowly rejected by the state
Assembly twice last June.
The issues of same-sex marriage and gay rights have also found
their way onto UCLA’s campus.
Last year, a group of UCLA students formed the Student Coalition
for Marriage Equality to advocate equal rights for gay couples. The
organization held a same-sex marriage in Bruin Plaza last spring in
support of AB 19.
Although the group has disbanded for the summer and was unable
to take large-scale organized action in support of the current
bill, the Student Coalition for Marriage Equality is preparing for
what is expected to be a crucial year for their cause.
Anti-gay rights groups are currently collecting petition
signatures to place a referendum on the June 2006 ballot that would
permanently define marriage as between a man and a woman and repeal
domestic partnership rights, Rose said.
Because a successful referendum would change the state’s
constitution, it would void any prior legislation and reduce the
ability of the courts to rule on the issue, he said.
Queer X Girl, a campus organization that encourages social and
political action among queer females, isn’t working on issues
of same-sex marriage currently because they are focusing on
fighting Proposition 73, said president Georgina Wakefield.
The measure will be voted on in the state’s November
special election.
Proposition 73, also called the Parents’ Right to Know
Act, would prevent minors from having an abortion until a 48 hour
“reflection period” after their doctor informed their
parents or legal guardians in writing.
However, Queer X Girl is also preparing to fight predicted
future ballot measures.
“There probably is going to be an anti-same-sex marriage
amendment on the ballot in 2006,” Wakefield said.
“We’re definitely going to be
campaigning.”
A pair of similar petitions are currently circulating for
initiatives that would ban both same-sex unions and rescind
domestic partnership benefits.
There’s a rift among California conservative groups as to
which referendum language should be used.
Schwarzenegger has not taken a public stance on the potential
constitutional amendments, which have not yet been approved for the
June ballot.
California is one of twelve states expected to consider
constitutional amendments outlawing same-sex marriage in the next
two years.
Ballot initiatives are expected in the states of Alabama,
Indiana, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Colorado, Arizona, Florida,
Virginia, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
With reports from Bruin wire services.