California and Gay Marriage

First there was Massachusetts, and now there is California. The senate and assembly paved the way to a historic landmark this week by being the FIRST legislature in the US to say it's ok to be gay and get married!

Wow! Cool! YAY us! All these exciting phrases come to mind when I got the messages from the director of Equality California about this monumental decision. But then some other thoughts came to mind. Ut-oh! Gasp! Holy moley! When’s the shoe going to drop? These things clouded the joy and ecstatic feelings I was having right after reading the good news.

Why? Well let’s see. First it barely passed the Senate. Second, it BARELY passed the Assembly with a clear party-line vote with NO Republican voting in favor. And not thirdly, we must wait for the Terminator to sign it in to law. And even if he does, the state’s attorney just ok’d the final wording on a ballot initiative that will be placed in front of the voters repealing all the domestic partner benefits and making it ILLEGAL at all to recognize ANY form of right’s given to queer couples that resembles MARRIAGE in ANY way!

But do not be disheartened my dear readers. The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train and we won’t be derailed quite yet. This sends a resounding message to the other 47 states in the union to wake up and smell the coffee. While we don’t all necessarily agree that a union must be called a marriage, we believe we as queers should have the same rights as any heterosexual couple who wishes to combine their families and lives for as long as we can stand each other! We have Massachusetts with gay marriage from their supreme court. We have Civil Unions from Vermont. And soon (hopefully, crossing fingers, toes, ears, tongue and whatever is mobile enough to be crossed) California.

So Mozeltov California! Kudos! I’ll be looking for something similar in Illinois one of these years!

((((ADDITION - BREAKING NEWS}}}}}}}

Unfortunately the Terminator has decided to do what he is known to doing. he has terminated (vetoed) or will be terminating the bill as soon as it hits his desk. He said it is not for the legislature to decide but for the people and the courts. Boo to him. Who does he think the legilasture represents.. themselves? Let us remind Arnold that the legislature represents the PEOPLE and the measure didn't pass last session and passed BOTH houses this time. Wake up and smell the coffee Arnold... it is what the people are asking for!

In protest of his negative thinking and two-headedness, I am calling on all rational queer folk to refrain from purchasing, supporting in any manner, or helping in any monetary manner Arnold. We will show him how the Terminator can be terminated! He says he is all for equality and that gay relationships should have full legal representation and equality, then goes and vetoes any equality measure that PASSED both houses! Shame on you Arnold!

{{{{{{{{{End of Breaking news and my obvious disappointment}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Jase ;0)

For Further reading on the subject:
*************************************************************

Jason P. Ruel
Editor, Gay Lesbian News @ BellaOnline.com