2008 Woodie Awards
A marriage of a different sort
Michael Harvey
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Opinion
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California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Sept. 7 that he will veto a marriage equality bill as soon as it reaches his desk "out of the respect for the will of the people." The bill passed the Senate and the State Assembly on Sept. 1 and 6, respectively.
Schwarzenegger said he believes the bill will conflict with an initiative passed by voters in 2001, Proposition 22, that prevents California from recognizing gay marriage by defining the union as one between a man and a woman.
One must wonder if this is even fair to use in an argument against the newly passed Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Do the majority of California residents still support Proposition 22?
Much has happened in California and in our country, over the past five years. Bill AB-25, passed in 2001, allows registered domestic couples only nine of the state benefits given to married couples and none of the 1,069 federal benefits. While this is not enough, it's a step in the right direction. Bill AB-205, which came into effect January of 2005, significantly expands state benefits to domestic couples and their children.
Naturally, the next step is to demand the right to be recognized as a married couple by the government. This bill does not force any religious institution to perform the ceremonial aspect of a marriage.
It may not seem right that the legislature is making decisions that may contradict voters. However if this did not happen we would be a backward nation with women still in the kitchen and slaves in the field. Do you think a majority of citizens wanted civil rights for these people? It's something that is morally fair. Is this not a country of justice for all?
It's time that gays and lesbians stop being the punching bag for the Religious Right and receive the freedoms they deserve.
Schwarzenegger said he believes the bill will conflict with an initiative passed by voters in 2001, Proposition 22, that prevents California from recognizing gay marriage by defining the union as one between a man and a woman.
One must wonder if this is even fair to use in an argument against the newly passed Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Do the majority of California residents still support Proposition 22?
Much has happened in California and in our country, over the past five years. Bill AB-25, passed in 2001, allows registered domestic couples only nine of the state benefits given to married couples and none of the 1,069 federal benefits. While this is not enough, it's a step in the right direction. Bill AB-205, which came into effect January of 2005, significantly expands state benefits to domestic couples and their children.
Naturally, the next step is to demand the right to be recognized as a married couple by the government. This bill does not force any religious institution to perform the ceremonial aspect of a marriage.
It may not seem right that the legislature is making decisions that may contradict voters. However if this did not happen we would be a backward nation with women still in the kitchen and slaves in the field. Do you think a majority of citizens wanted civil rights for these people? It's something that is morally fair. Is this not a country of justice for all?
It's time that gays and lesbians stop being the punching bag for the Religious Right and receive the freedoms they deserve.