Same-sex marriage (SSM), civil
unions, & domestic partnerships

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Quotations:

	"If marriage means everything, it means absolutely nothing." Dr. James C. Dobson, of Focus on the Family.
	"The extension of the Common Benefits Clause to acknowledge plaintiffs as Vermonters who seek nothing more, nor less, than legal protection and security for their avowed commitment to an intimate and lasting human relationship is simply, when all is said and done, a recognition of our common humanity." Chief Justice Jeffrey L. Amestoy, of the Vermont Supreme Court in a decision that led to the legalization of civil unions in Vermont.
	"A loving man and woman in a committed relationship can marry. Dogs, no matter what their relationship, are not allowed to marry. How should society treat gays and lesbians in committed relationships? As dogs or as humans?" Posting to an Internet mailing list; used by permission of the author.
	"... They went running down the hall of their preschool singing 'Mommy and Mama are getting married.' And they looked at me with such happy eyes." Comment by Beth Hillman, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, CA after she told her two daughters at school about the California Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage.
	"As California goes, so goes the nation." Ancient adage of unknown origin.
	Four comments on Proposition 8 which ended the right of same-sex couples to marry on 2008-NOV-06: "This vote on whether we stop the gay-marriage juggernaut in California is Armageddon,” Chuck Colson, Watergate felon and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries. "I call upon Californians who supported Proposition 8 to make an honest and dedicated effort to learn more about the lives and experiences of lesbian and gay humanity whose constitutional rights are unfairly targeted by this measure'." Episcopal Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Diocese of Los Angeles. "It’s more important than the presidential election. We will not survive [as a nation] if we lose the institution of marriage." Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council. "It's bittersweet right now because we just watched the first African-American president elected. We were watching it with our African-America son, there were tears coming out of our eyes, and we went to look at what's happening at [Proposition] 8. We're speechless right now." Jose Ronni Pahl, one of the first same-sex spouses to be married in Santa Clara County, CA

Overview:

After one proposition, many lawsuits, a pile of bills passed by the Legislature, and two vetoes by the governor, the California Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage on 2008-MAY-14. California became the second state to do so, after Massachusetts. Same-sex couples began marrying on 2008-JUN-16.

Proposition 8 was voted upon at the 2008-NOV-04 elections. Its intent was to re-define marriage in California as a special privilege of opposite-sex couples only. It narrowly passed 53% to 48%. The Supreme Court of California heard oral arguments on the constitutionality of Prop. 8 on 2009-MAR-05.

As expected, on 2009-MAY-26, it upheld the constitutionality of Prop 8, thus continuing the current ban on SSM. However, it also ruled that the Proposition is not retroactive. Thus, same-sex couples who were legally married during 2008 would continue to be considered married.

This decision leaves the marriages of any minority group at danger. Any hate group who dislikes a particular racial, religious, or other minority can now raise a proposition in California to eliminate the right of that minority to marry. If the Proposition is passed by at least 50% of the voters plus one, the minority would no longer be allowed to marry. Atheists' marriages are at particular risk, because of the public's high level of dislike and intolerance of Atheists.

The Prop 8 issue is being actively debated at Living Vote.org. See: http://www.livingvote.org/

The following topics are covered in this section:

	History of recognition of same-sex relationships by the government and courts Proposition 22 during the year 2000 that temporarily banned same-sex marriages. Activity 1999 to 2002 in the legislature and courts Activity 2003 to now in the legislature, courts, and by groups attempting to revise the constitution
	Path 1: The legislative route towards marriage equality: 1999 - 2001: Bills AB-26 & AB-25 (Few benefits granted) and AB-1338 (Civil unions; unsuccessful). 2003: Bill AB-205 the "Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act." 2004: Marriages in San Francisco: 29 days of marriage equality. 2004: Bill AB 1967 the "Gender-Neutral Marriage Act." (withdrawn) 2005: Bill AB 19, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act" (unsuccessful) 2005: Bill AB 849, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act." (Passed the Senate and Assembly. Vetoed by the governor.) 2007: Bill AB 43, the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act" (Passed the Senate and Assembly. Vetoed by the governor.)
	Path 2: Pursuing same-sex marriage through the courts: Lawsuits launched to permit same-sex couples to marry (2004-2005). Court cases consolidated Same-sex marriage authorized: (2008-MAY-14) Reactions to the first same-sex marriages
	Path 3: Banning same-sex marriage via the state Constitution Amendments to ban same-sex marriage by VoteYesMarriage.com and Protect Marriage.com Prop. 8 approved for 2008-NOV vote Attempts to stall & rewrite Prop. 8 What did the polls predict? Events culminating in the vote on Prop 8 If Prop 8 is accepted by the courts, what will be its effect? The immediate aftermath of Prop 8 Legal action following the passage of Prop. 8 The future of Prop. 8 Amici briefs in favor of marriage equality & in opposition to Prop. 8 Amici briefs in opposition to marriage equality & in support of Prop. 8   Activity on Prop. 8: During JAN & FEB During early MAR During late 2009-MAR to MAY: Polling data. Path forward. Court ruling. Rick Warren's stance on Prop. 8 and SSM Starting 2009-JUN: Challenging Prop. 8

Copyright © 2001 to 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-JUL-09
Author: B.A. Robinson

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