Sacramento, Calif., Sep 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Pro-family groups are expressing horror and outrage today after the California State Senate passed 21-15, a measure which could redefine marriage in the state from constituting a “man and woman” to simply “two persons.”
Thursday’s vote makes the California senate the first legislative body in the country to approve a same-sex marriage bill.
Observers now say that the stage is set for a battle over AB 849 in the state assembly, which had narrowly shot down the bill in June.
Randy Thomasson, president of the California-based Campaign for Children and Families, said Thursday that, "Every Californian who believes marriage is for a man and a woman must rise up today and demand that their state assembly member oppose AB 849."
The group says they have been actively opposing the so-called “gay marriage license” bill for nearly nine months now.
Thomasson is hopeful however, that "This corrupt deed by state legislators will energize voters to sign the VoteYesMarriage.com petition a month from now, to protect marriage rights for one man and one woman once and for all."
The Campaign for Children and Families pointed out that the bill’s passage effectively negates Proposition 22, which passed with 61% of the statewide vote in 2000. That proposition said that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
This fact shocked pro-family groups who point to the California State Constitution which prohibits lawmakers from repealing or amending voter-approved initiatives.
Added Thomasson: “They're violating the state constitution, which specifically prohibits the Legislature from repealing voter-approved initiatives!…How can God bless California when our lawmakers do this?"
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth ( R), who voted in opposition was gravely disappointed in the passage of the bill, which he said, was not the right thing to do. He added: "We should protect traditional marriage."