AB 19 would allow same-gender marriage; bill opposed by Christian group
Glenn Franco Simmons, Eureka Reporter
February 15, 2005

Monday's same-gender rally throughout the state came about a year after President George W. Bush vowed support a Constitutional amendment that would stipulate marriages are unions between a man and a woman.

In response to the president's call, 13 states have enacted Constitutional bans on gay marriage and legislatures in at least six more states are considering similar prohibitions this year.

In California, however, it's a different story. There is Assembly Bill 19 as introduced by Assemblyman Mark Leno. The bill will be considered by the House in the 2005 legislative session.

"This bill would enact the 'Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act,' which would … provide that marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between two persons," according to AB19.

"(The bill's) goal is to restore what historically California has defined as traditional marriage," said Eureka resident Jamila Tharp. "Historically in California prior to 1977, our state Constitution said that marriage is a personal relationship arising out of a civil contract between two persons."

In 1977, that gender-neutral language was changed, she said.

"The point of the bill is to basically say it's wrong to exclude same-sex couples from getting married," Tharp said. "Civil marriage is a fundamental human right."

She said the bill will become law if it passes the House and Senate and is then signed by the governor.

"At long last, this bill puts that fundamental right into practice -- allowing loving, committed same-sex couples -- who want to devote their lives to one another, raise families and protect themselves and their children -- the same rights and responsibilities as different-sex couples with the same goals and dreams," Leno said in a news release.

"By redefining marriage as between 'two persons,' AB 19 would usher in full-blown 'gay marriage licenses,'" according to a news release from Campaign for Children and Families.

The campaign is opposed to AB19.

"God created marriage for a man and a woman, California voters affirmed this natural and exclusive institution and now Democrat state legislators are arrogantly trashing the people's vote," said the campaign's President Randy Thomasson, who last year sued Mayor Gavin Newsom to stop San Francisco's same-gender marriages, which Thomasson called "counterfeit."

"Our message to the Democrat politicians is 'keep your hands off marriage!'" Thomasson said. "AB 19 essentially tells California voters they can't trust the Democrats when it comes to protecting the sacred institution of marriage.

"AB 19 utterly destroys the uniqueness of marriage, and rejects the vote of 61.4 percent of Californians who demanded that marriage stay between a man and a woman. If it's not a man and a woman, it's not marriage."

"In the 2000 primary election, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 22, which became California Family Code, Section 308.5, which reads, 'Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,'" the news release stated.