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http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/schwarzenegger_gay_marria/2008/04/11/87348.html
Calif. Gov Says No to Marriage Amendment
Friday, April 11, 2008
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that he would fight an initiative to
amend the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage if it qualifies
for the November ballot.
Schwarzenegger has vetoed bills that would allow gay marriage but said he
opposes the sort of amendments that are being proposed by two competing
groups. Such amendments are already on the books in 26 states, but the
governor said it would be a "waste of time" to pursue one in California.
"I will always be there to fight against that," Schwarzenegger said,
prompting loud cheers and a standing ovation from about 200 people at the
annual convention of the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation's largest gay
Republican group.
The Austrian-born governor immediately cracked that he wished activists
would instead focus on passing an amendment to allow naturalized citizens to
run for president.
Both proposed initiatives would limit marriage to heterosexuals, and one
measure would revoke the spousal rights and tax benefits currently extended
to same-sex couples under state laws.
Schwarzenegger supports the current benefits for same-sex couples. In
vetoing bills that would have legalized gay marriage, he has said he thinks
the question should be up to voters or the courts, not lawmakers.
Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality
California, said Schwarzenegger's opposition could help defeat a marriage
ban or even prevent it from getting enough signatures to qualify for the
ballot.
"We were thrilled. We have been asking him to do this," said Kors, whose
group's volunteers have been working to persuade people not to sign
petitions for the proposed initiative. "The governor's support to defeat it
is critical."
Kors said Schwarzenegger's stand has precedent. In 1978, former Republican
Gov. Ronald Reagan came out against a ballot initiative that would have made
it illegal for gay men and lesbians to work as teachers in California public
schools, an act that "made gay rights issues nonpartisan," Kors said.
Schwarzenegger is a defendant in a group of lawsuits brought by same-sex
couples seeking to overturn the state's longtime statutory ban on gay
marriage. A ruling in the case is expected soon from the California Supreme
Court.
Calif. Gov Says No to Marriage Amendment
Friday, April 11, 2008
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that he would fight an initiative to
amend the California Constitution to ban same-sex marriage if it qualifies
for the November ballot.
Schwarzenegger has vetoed bills that would allow gay marriage but said he
opposes the sort of amendments that are being proposed by two competing
groups. Such amendments are already on the books in 26 states, but the
governor said it would be a "waste of time" to pursue one in California.
"I will always be there to fight against that," Schwarzenegger said,
prompting loud cheers and a standing ovation from about 200 people at the
annual convention of the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation's largest gay
Republican group.
The Austrian-born governor immediately cracked that he wished activists
would instead focus on passing an amendment to allow naturalized citizens to
run for president.
Both proposed initiatives would limit marriage to heterosexuals, and one
measure would revoke the spousal rights and tax benefits currently extended
to same-sex couples under state laws.
Schwarzenegger supports the current benefits for same-sex couples. In
vetoing bills that would have legalized gay marriage, he has said he thinks
the question should be up to voters or the courts, not lawmakers.
Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality
California, said Schwarzenegger's opposition could help defeat a marriage
ban or even prevent it from getting enough signatures to qualify for the
ballot.
"We were thrilled. We have been asking him to do this," said Kors, whose
group's volunteers have been working to persuade people not to sign
petitions for the proposed initiative. "The governor's support to defeat it
is critical."
Kors said Schwarzenegger's stand has precedent. In 1978, former Republican
Gov. Ronald Reagan came out against a ballot initiative that would have made
it illegal for gay men and lesbians to work as teachers in California public
schools, an act that "made gay rights issues nonpartisan," Kors said.
Schwarzenegger is a defendant in a group of lawsuits brought by same-sex
couples seeking to overturn the state's longtime statutory ban on gay
marriage. A ruling in the case is expected soon from the California Supreme
Court.
