Dear Friends of the Family,
As hard as it is to believe, the words “man and woman” are at risk of extinction in Golden State marriage law. A bill recently passed by the California Legislature is just a governor’s signature away from changing the definition of marriage in state law from “man and woman” to “two persons.” This is the latest of numerous attempts by same-sex “marriage” advocates in the legislature to re-define marriage.
Assemblyman Mark Leno has repeatedly through the years tried to pass variations of AB 43 in hopes of legalizing same-sex “marriage.” Specifically, this bill seeks to amend Section 300 of the Family Code to read: “Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons, to which the consent of the parties capable of making that contract is necessary.”In past years, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation. However, there is a real possibility that he might sign this one. The governor would do well to perform an encore to his past vetoes, for numerous reasons:
- Marriage between a man and a woman is a social success story that serves to stabilize communities and reduce government expenditures for social agencies;
- In the year 2000, Californians voted by a 61-39 percent margin to preserve traditional marriage. Rather than attempt to overturn the will of the populace, a few people in the legislature should allow the voice of the people to stand; and
- Californians are deeply committed to defending marriage and are attempting to qualify five defense of marriage ballot initiatives for the 2008 general election
Click here to contact Governor Schwarzenegger immediately before it is too late. Ask him to support marriage and the family by vetoing AB 43 today.
Legislative Action
To view the latest actions on family-related bills in Sacramento, please see:
California Legislative Bill Watch
Defense of Marriage Initiatives
As of mid-September, committees sponsoring the following initiatives are gathering signatures in order to qualify defense of marriage initiatives for the 2008 election ballot:
Additional information on marriage initiatives
Proposition 1247 -- Marriage. Elimination of Domestic Partnership Rights. Constitutional Amendment.
Deadline: November 13, 2007 Signatures Required: 694,354
Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between one man and one woman is valid or recognized in California. Prohibits decreasing marriage rights shared by one man and one woman. Voids or makes unenforceable certain rights and obligations conferred by California law on same-sex and heterosexual couples registered as domestic partners, concerning subject areas including, but not limited to, community property, intestate succession, stepparent adoption, child custody, child support, hospital visitation, health care decisions for an incapacitated partner, insurance benefits, death benefits, and recovery for wrongful death.
Proposition 1253 -- Marriage. Elimination of Domestic Partnership Rights. Constitutional Amendment.
Circulation Deadline: December 13, 2007 Signatures Required: 694,354
Provides that only marriage between one man and one woman is valid or recognized in California. Prohibits decreasing marriage rights shared by one man and one woman. Defines man and woman. Voids or makes unenforceable certain rights and obligations conferred by California law on same-sex and opposite-sex couples registered as domestic partners, concerning subject areas including, but not limited to, community property, intestate succession, stepparent adoption, child custody, child support, hospital visitation, health care decisions for an incapacitated partner, insurance benefits, death benefits, and recovery for wrongful death.
Proposition 1254 --Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.
Circulation Deadline: December 13, 2007 Signatures Required: 694,354
Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.
Proposition 1255 -- Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment.
Circulation Deadline: December 14, 2007 Signatures Required: 694,354
Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Further amends the California Constitution to state that the amendment shall not affect the rights, benefits and obligations conferred by California law on other domestic relationships.
Proposition 1264 -- Marriage. Elimination of Domestic Partnership Rights. Constitutional Amendment.
Circulation Deadline: January 28, 2008 Signatures Required: 694,354
Provides that only marriage between one man and one woman is valid or recognized in California. Prohibits decreasing marriage rights shared by one man and one woman. Defines man and woman. Voids or makes unenforceable certain rights and obligations conferred by California law on same-sex and opposite-sex couples registered as domestic partners, concerning subject areas including, but not limited to, community property, intestate succession, stepparent adoption, child custody, child support, hospital visitation, health care decisions for an incapacitated partner, insurance benefits, death benefits, and recovery for wrongful death.
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to Helping Us Defend Marriage and the Family
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United Families California is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions by U.S. citizens are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Thank you for your continued generous support!
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United Families California • PO Box 7653 • La Verne, CA 91750-7653