Blogcabin California

Next week, Log Cabin California representatives will join Equality California and other gay and lesbian groups to meet with Governor Schwarzenegger’s staff. While Equality California says in an email that the meeting comes just, “two days before the marriage equality bill even reaches the Governor,” the Governor’s staff insists the issue isn’t on the table.

While we’d all like to see Governor Schwarzenegger grant marriage equality in California, the gay and lesbian community in California should focus on what the Governor can do FOR us rather than argue over our points of disagreement. Frankly, the LGBT needs the Governor as an ally to fight the initiatives proposed for next June’s ballot which would eliminate all recognition of Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships in California.

The California LGBT community should urge Schwarzenegger that when eventually vetoes AB 849, he also make a statement supporting recognition of gay and lesbian partnerships and lay the groundwork to eventually oppose the “Protect Marriage” initiatives should they make the ballot by stating clearly that he opposes writing discrimination into the State constitution.

I am hopeful that a constructive meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger could yield these results. After all, Governor Schwarzenegger is a man who had a 100% rating on gay issues just a year ago, who opposed the President on the Federal Marriage Initiative, who has fully-funded the AIDS Drug Assistance Program despite tight budgets, who became the first Republican Governor to recognize California’s Pride festivities, and who has expanded Domestic Partnership rights.

Oh, and I can’t imagine Maria will be too happy if he doesn’t stick with his convictions on this issue.

Schwarzenegger aides to meet with gay leaders [SFGate]