Initiative filed to protect traditional marriage definition
KXTV, Channel 10 Sacramento
May 19, 2005

Foes of same-sex marriage have launched an initiative drive for an amendment to the state constitution that would limit the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman and override legislative actions and judicial rulings that decide otherwise.

The "Voters' Right to Protect Marriage Initiative" was filed with the state Attorney General's Office Thursday. The initiative would alter Section 1.1 of Article I of the state constitution to read "only marriage between one man and one woman is valid or recognized in California, whether contracted in this state or elsewhere."

The amendment would also prohibit any government institution or court in the state from defining marriage as anything but a union between a male and female. It would not recognize other jurisdictions’ public acts that differ from that marriage definition.

In a prepared statement, backers of the initiative made their aims clear. "We all know that marriage is for a man and a woman," said Randy Thomasson of the group Campaign for Children and Families. "It's high time that we the people override the judges and politicians who've been relentlessly attacking marriage."

Supporters plan to begin gathering approximately one million signatures in a petition drive scheduled to start in July. They want to qualify the amendment initiative for the 2006 general election ballot.

Just last week, state Assembly and Senate committees rejected a constitutional amendment that would have banned same-sex marriage in California.

In the meantime, the Assembly Judiciary Committee has approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriages. Assembly Bill 19, titled the "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act", is scheduled for a second review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AB 19 is sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22, the "California Defense of Marriage Act". It defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In March, however, a San Francisco judge ruled that bans on same-sex marriages, including Proposition 22, are unconstitutional.

Legislators and scholars believe the issue will move to at least the California State Supreme Court before it is decided.