SAN FRANCISCO, CA— Same-sex couples, their families and supporters will join Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), EQCA and Marriage Equality USA on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 to urge the Governor to seize a historic moment and sign AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, into law.
WHAT: Community Rally in Support of AB 43
WHEN: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
TIME: 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St.
San Francisco, CA
“Two consecutive legislatures have now boldly and proudly affirmed the equal rights of all Californians to enter into loving and committed relationships, and now the Governor has an important decision to make,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). “He has the opportunity to recognize what an ever increasing number of fair-minded Californians understand— that marriage strengthens our society and singling same sex couples out of this important institution hurts us all.”
Assembly Bill 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. It is sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), the statewide LGBT civil rights advocacy organization helping to organize Tuesday’s rally along with Marriage Equality USA. “We call on the governor to rise above right-wing ideology, as he has on many other issues, by signing this bill," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “The governor should keep up with the will of the people and show the kind of bold bi-partisan leadership on this issue that will define his place in history.”
In 2006, the California Court of Appeal stated that, “If marriage is to be extended to same-sex couples, this change must come from the people—either directly, through a voter initiative, or through their elected representatives in the Legislature.” Additionally, a September 2006 poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that 47% of likely voters supported marriage for same-sex couples while 46% did not.
Schwarzenegger has until October 14th to sign or veto the bill.
For those joining in gay marriages today, the road from outlaw status to respectability was paved in the Legislature over three decades.
From decriminalizing sex between same-sex couples, to outlawing job discrimination against homosexuals, to adding gay members to the legislative roster, the government has been taking steps, measure-by-measure, that have led to gay couples joining hands in marriage ceremonies across the state.
