Group holds news conference in opposition of marriage bill
Bakersfield Californian
February 17, 2005

A group held a news conference on Truxtun Avenue Wednesday to oppose a bill before the Legislature aimed at broadening the definition of marriage.

Representatives for the Campaign for Children and Families stood in front of the Liberty Bell at Truxtun and Chester avenues to tell Democratic politicians behind the bill to "keep your hands off marriage," said Randy Thomasson, the group's president.

The group began a 15-city tour Monday to raise awareness of Assembly Bill 19 which would change the state's current definition that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The bill would change the definition to "marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons."

"The voters know marriage is only for a man and a woman," Thomasson said.

The 15-city tour is meant to alert the public that politicians want to change that, he said.

Danny Ramirez, one of four speakers, said Latinos voted 65 percent in favor of marriage being between a man and a woman when Prop. 22 passed five years ago.

"Marriage between Jose and Maria is natural, not marriage between Jose and Pedro," Ramirez said.

The message that needs to be sent to politicians is don't attack marriage, Ramirez said. The group encouraged the public to call their local legislators and the governor's office and tell them to leave marriage alone.