Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 12:47:04 -0800 (PST)
From: "Jennifer L. Richard" <richarjl@assembly.ca.gov>
Subject: Pete Knight's Anti-Marriage Press Release


Well, I've just received a copy of California Assemblymember Pete 
Knight's press release for AB 1982.  The press release reads as follows:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				CONTACT: ANDY PUGNO
DATE:  January 4. 1996				PHONE: (916)445-7498
PRESS RELEASE #96-01


KNIGHT BEGINS FIGHT TO PREVENT SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

Assemblymean Wm. J. "Pete" Knight (R-Palmdale) today unveiled amendments 
to his bill, AB 1982, to prevent California from recognizing same-sex 
marriages performed legally in other states.  Knight is taking this 
controversial action in anticipation of the expected legalization of 
same-sex marriages in Hawaii next summer.

"I don't believe that California should be in the business of 
legitimizing same-sex marriages, even those from other states," said Knight.

Widely considered to be a popular Republican issue, Knight's bill alread 
enjoys the co-sponshorship of 29 other Republicans, or roughly 3 out of 
every 4 members of the GOP Caucus.

Under current law, marriages in all 50 states are automatically 
considered valid in California.  Knight's bill would specifically make 
same-sex marriage "invalid" in California, even if legal in the state 
where the marriage was performed.

"The legal and financial benefits of traditional marriages are designed 
to foster the best conditions for raising kids.  Since homosexuals and 
other same-sex couples can't produce offspring together, they must view 
marriage as just a reservoir of economic perks,"  Knight charges.  "It's 
not right to give same-sex couples the same economic benefits meant to 
aid families raising children."

AB 1982 seeks to preempt the likely legalization of same-sex marriages in 
Hawaii, following the recent Hawaii Supreme Court's indication that it 
will legalize such marriages unless the state can prove a "compelling" 
state interest to limit marriage licenses to male-female couples.

"We need AB 1982 to protect California from being forced to give 
traditional marriage benegits to same-sex couples that get married in 
Hawaii.  Businesses, the state budget, and familiew simply can't afford 
it.  Tax revenues would drop, placing more tax burden on families with 
kids and strain on the budget," said Knight.

Publica opinion polls show that Americans consistently oppose same-sex 
marriages by a 63% majority.  (EPIC-MRA-Mitchell Research, July 1995, 3% 
margin of error; Newsweek, Feb. 1994, 4% margin of error)

The Utah legislature has already adopted a law to invalidate out-of-state 
marriages between same-sex couples, and several other states are also 
considering similar measures.

				# # #



We need to begin counteracting this kind of misinformation about our 
partnerships immediately.  Its time for Californians to start writing 
letters to the editor about the truth of our partnerships and the need to 
defeat Assemblymember Knight's bill.  

Its also crucial that every Californian on this list write their 
Assemblymember and Senator and urge them to vote against this bill.



Jennifer Richard
Legislative Aide
Assemblymember Kuehl's Office
richarjl@assembly.ca.gov




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