SACRAMENTO , CA – Continuing historic work to secure equal rights for thousands of same sex couples and their families in California , the Assembly Judiciary Committee approved Assemblyman Mark Leno’s AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, with a vote of 7 to 3.

“Our march toward marriage equality continues with another victory today,” stated Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “We will not stop until all citizens are afforded their constitutional right to marry the person they love and raise their families with the respect, dignity and validation which are their birthright.”

Assembly Bill 43 is nearly identical to AB 849 of 2005, which was the first proactive marriage equality legislation in the history of the United States to pass both houses of a state legislature.  AB 43 seeks to amend Section 300 of the Family Code to define marriage as a civil contract between two persons instead of a civil contract between a man and a woman.  The measure also reaffirms that no religious institution would ever be required to solemnize marriages contrary to its fundamental beliefs.

The measure is sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), the statewide LGBT civil rights advocacy organization.  “Two people in a committed, trusting relationship deserve the honor and social support that comes with marriage,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “Denying someone the opportunity to marry the person he or she loves hurts couples and families that are dedicated to building their lives together. It is time to move forward as a state and grant the right to marry to all loving and committed couples who want the responsibilities of marriage.”

Same-sex couples can register with the State of California as domestic partners, affording them hundreds of protections. However, same-sex couples in California and their families still are not eligible for more than a thousand federal protections offered to married couples, including family and medical leave, social security benefits, long-term care insurance and the ability to sponsor a partner for immigration benefits.

AB 43 is co-authored by 29 Assemblymembers and 14 Senators, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senator President Pro Tempore Don Perata. A broad coalition of over 250 civil rights organizations and leaders are in support of the measure, including the NAACP California State Conference, United Farm Workers, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Chinese for Affirmative Action, CA Teachers Association, ACLU, CA Nurses Association, Anti-Defamation League, CA National Organization for Women, and CA Church Impact, National Center for Lesbian Rights, among many others.