Schwarzenegger expands Gay Rights, but vetoes Marriage Bill
A mixed blessing in Governor Schwarzenegger’s announcement of his action on five gar rights bills on his desk. He signed four, but vetoed the one with the highest profile, AB 849–the Gay Marriage Bill. Here is the official Log Cabin reaction:
“Log Cabin expresses deep disappointment in Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to veto legislation recognizing civil marriage equality,” said Patrick Guerriero, President of Log Cabin Republicans. “Log Cabin Republicans take the Governor at his word, that if, and when, the courts of California join the legislature in recognizing the right to civil marriage equality, he will uphold and support that decision,” continued Guerriero.
Log Cabin, however, does thank the Governor for sending a strong signal to the people of California that he will not allow the initiative process to marginalize gay and lesbian families. In his veto message today, Governor Schwarzenegger states, “I support current domestic partner rights and will continue to vigorously defend and support these rights… and will not support any roll back.” “We look forward to working with the Governor next year to defeat any anti-gay ballot initiative,” said Jeff Bissiri, California Director of Log Cabin.
Log Cabin also praises the Governor for signing four significant pieces of legislation of importance to the LGBT community. AB1400, The Civil Rights Act of 2005, adds sexual orientation and marital status to the Unruh Civil Rights Act. AB1586 prohibits discrimination based on gender identity in health care plans. SB565 amends existing law to treat registered domestic partners the same as married couples regarding property tax reappraisal when a partner passes away. SB973 amends existing law to allow public employees who retired before AB205 went into effect to add a domestic partner as a beneficiary.
So the battle is on for June 2006, as the “Protect Marriage” initiatives appear likely to head to the voters. And while we are all pretty mad about AB 849, we have a new ally in the Governor in this battle and to me personally, that is a good thing.
[…] Schwarzenegger expands Gay Rights, but vetoes Marriage Bill [BlogCabin] […]
Pingback by Boi From Troy » Governor Expands Gay Rights, Opposes Anti-Gay Initiatives — September 29, 2005 @ 3:47 pm
I think the Governor was correct to veto the bill. Upholding the law seems a responsible conservative thing to do. To support the legislature in making an end-run around the vote of the people (Prop 22) and the laws of the state (that popular initiatives can not be undone by legislative action) would not have been a proper action, the desirability of the act notwithstanding. I was pleased to see the Governor to use his veto message to send a strong signal of continuing support for same-sex civil unions
His words:
“I believe that lesbian and gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their relationships. I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights and as such will not support any rollback.”
must have been very disheartening to the Wacko Right.
Bruce Albert
Comment by Bruce Albert — September 30, 2005 @ 4:49 am
[…] What was surprising was the mix of more balanced coverage which showed both sides of the Governor’s decision. This came from a wide array of sources including the San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, Agence France Presse, Mike Rogers (!), The Malcontent, Matt Szabo, and BlogCabin, which each struck a balanced tone and looked objectively at the Governor’s actions and statements in their entirety. […]
Pingback by Boi From Troy » Reactions to Schwarzenegger Marriage Veto Mixed — September 30, 2005 @ 12:40 pm
[…] To the contrary, the extremism of these ballot measures should be seen as an opportunity to reach across the partisan divide and build relationships with moderates within the Republican Party. Governor Schwarzenegger has said, “I support current domestic partner rights and will continue to vigorously defend and support these rights,” so why would we want to focus our strategy around alienating the Governor and others like him? […]
Pingback by Boi From Troy » Too little, hopefully not too late for the Gays — November 14, 2005 @ 2:41 pm
Markos Moulitsas (DailyKos) Opposed Gays in the Military
In the run-up to the YearlyKos annual gathering at which the Democratic candidates will be speaking, they’re having a furious debate at DailyKos over a 1993 essay in which Markos Moulitsas said, “the demands and pressures of military life are incompatible with allowing integration with homosexuals.”
I wonder how “progressive” Markos Moulitsas is going to explain this 1993 essay?
The Truth About Kos Blog
Comment by Francis L. Holland — August 2, 2007 @ 6:57 am
The “wacko right” are the ones that have been fighting for gay rights. How can you be so self loathing that you would support a party that is vehemently against your own interests? Disgusting
Comment by RiddleMeThis — December 12, 2007 @ 7:45 am
[…] http://blogcabinca.org/2005/09/29/schwarzenegger-expands-gay-rights-but-vetoes-marriage-bill […]
Pingback by http://blogcabinca.org/2005/09/29/schwarzenegger-expands-gay-rights-but-vetoes-marriage-bill — April 19, 2008 @ 1:55 pm