Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 15:29:16 -0800 From: Douglas.Case@sdsu.edu (Doug Case) Subject: ANTI-GAY BILL PASSES CA ASSEMBLY from: LIFE: Californias Lesbian/Gay & AIDS Lobby Laurie McBride, Executive Director Ellen McCormick, Assistant Legislative Advocate phone 916 444 0424 fax: 916 444 3059 e-mail: lmcagaylob@aol.com ANTI-GAY BILL PASSES CA STATE ASSEMBLY 308.5 A marriage contracted outside this state between individuals of the same gender is not valid in this state. Today the California State Assembly passed AB 1982 (Knight) 41-31. "Only certain families need apply," said Laurie McBride, Executive Director of LIFE: Californias Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby, upon hearing the final tally. An Issue of "Morality" Here are comments by our state legislators taken from todays debate. Assemblymember Alby said gay marriage was an "attempt to rewrite the fundamental laws of sexual morality, " and admonished the Assembly not to "litter the law with legislation upholding deviance". Mr. Richter held that gay marriage attempts to get him to validate gay relationships. Saying "They dont need a marriage license for what they have," Richter declared he could not, would not, will not, EVER ratify such behavior." Assemblymember House quoted scripture, and intoned that "IT is a choice, not nature". Knight defended his bill saying that it "protects from confusion and disarray the institution of marriage. And marriage is not a choice, not a convenience, but a fundamental necessity of an orderly society." Voices on Our Behalf Assemblymember Kuehl countered the argument that recognizing gay marriages would somehow "diminish and demean" the institution of marriage saying, if that is true, "then the strength of marriage must depend on discrimination." Assemblymembers Burton and Isenberg argued eloquently that California currently recognizes ALL marriages performed in the United States, including those involving minors, and marriages between relatives. Assemblymember Barbara Lee compared the racist abuse she received as a child with this attempt to stigmatize another minority. Assemblymember Phil Isenberg pointed out that his marriage to his wife, of Asian ethnicity, would have been illegal in California before 1947. Other major arguments for AB 1982 center around "the children". First, some proponents argue that marriage is for making babies. Yet there is no "baby-test" for heterosexual marriages. None of these proponents are suggesting that baby-less marriages have their licenses revoked. Second, proponents contend that marriage is for the protection of children, and that recognition of same-sex marriages would deliver innocent children into their hands. Assemblymembers Burton and Lee underscored how ignoring legal marriages, whatever the reason, would unduly put the children at risk in both custodial and financial matters. Next Steps When asked about next steps, LIFEs Legislative Advocate Ellen McCormick said, "Everyone has got to SPEAK UP. Write. Get your family and friends to write. Let the Assembly members know how angry and betrayed you feel. Let the Senate know this is important to you." Marriage is a commitment between two people. Geography shouldnt determine the legality of a marriage. Any attempt to do so merely puts the California taxpayers on the line to uphold the constitutionality of his bias, a potentially very expensive proposition. The fight now moves to the State Senate. Anyone wanting more information should contact LIFE: Californias Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby at 916 444 0424, or E-mail lmcagay@aol.com. LIFE: Californias Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby has been leading the opposition to AB 1982 in the Capitol. McBride said that while "thousands of letters have been written -- thousands more are needed. If we, the gay and lesbian community, are seen as weak or silent on an issue like this, then God help us on health and AIDS issues." FINAL VOTE BY CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY Voting yes: 41 Voting no: 31 31 Democrats vote no. 38 Republicans vote yes. 3 Democrats vote yes. 3 Republicans abstain. 4 Democrats abstain. Republicans abstaining: Marilyn Brewer, Orange County Jim Cunneen, San Jose Bruce McPherson, Santa Cruz Democrats voting yes: Sal Cannella, San Joaquin Mike Machado, Stockton Williard Murray, Los Angeles Democrats abstaining: Joe Baca, San Bernardino Cruz Bustamante, Fresno Dom Cortese, San Jose Curtis Tucker, Jr., Inglewood Letters of thanks should go to the Republican Assemblymembers who abstained in the face of great pressure from their caucus to vote for AB 1982. Letters and more letters should go to all Assemblymembers and Senators voicing your displeasure at seeing this bill pass. If we are silent on this bill, Goddess help us on any other issue we face this year. SO CRANK UP THE VOLUME!! (and thanks for all you have already done)