Signature-gathering can begin for Calif gay marriage ban

[Newsjock]

http://www.fresnobee.com/state_wire/story/10962298p-11727769c.html

By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California's attorney general on Monday released a summary of a proposed constitutional amendment that highlights how the measure would strip same-sex couples of most domestic partner rights while also banning gay marriage.

The preparation of an official circulating title and language for the amendment means opponents of same-sex marriage may now begin gathering the 598,105 signatures they need to qualify the measure for the June 2006 ballot.

But from top to bottom, Attorney General Bill Lockyer's 100-word analysis makes it clear that if the amendment passed, it would limit a lot more than marriage to unions between a man and a woman. While sponsors submitted a working title of "The Voters' Right to Protect Marriage Act," for instance, the attorney general has renamed it, "Marriage. Elimination of Domestic Partnership Rights."

... Meanwhile, a group that includes the widow of the late Sen. William J. "Pete" Knight, has submitted a competing amendment that a lawyer for ProtectMarriage.com campaign said would go even further by preventing the state government from recognizing same-sex unions in any way. Knight was the sponsor of Proposition 22, the 2000 ballot initiative that prevented the state from recognizing same-sex unions performed elsewhere.

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[Mz Pip]

1. Well, there's one petition

I won't sign.

This is such a mean, reactionary plan.

Knight was behind the last anti-gay legislation. He's total slime.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Massacure]

2. Hell will freeze over before California will get a 50% approval on that.

[AlGore-08.com]

7. Speaking as a Californian, it very well might

Mostly because of the way it'll be petitioned and advertised.

In both cases, it'll be talked about as if it's just a question about whether "traditional marriage" should be preserved, and they won't say squat about civil rights for gay couples being on the line. (Once it's on the ballot, they'll advertise heavily on Spanish language channels, using a very religious pitch.)

And since this is a conservative measure, there will be much, much more advertising for it than against it, because the conservatives have all the money.

Never, ever assume Cali will always vote progressive. We gave the world Ronnie Raygun and Dick Nixon...

[msongs]

3. can we have an initiative to outlaw the republican party? after all

it is ok to have them to outlaw another group with a million or more members.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Mairead]

4. Get it going!

If they can outlaw legal recognition of some voluntary relationships, I don't see why GOP party membership couldn't be outlawed too. Keep it off the ballot (wouldn't that be neat!)

[pinto]

5. Kudos to AG Lockyer for supporting some "truth in labelling" on this.

I'm sure he'll be challenged, but given the scope of the proposed amendment, he's right.

[sakabatou]

6. Can West CA secede from East CA?

[arwalden]

8. Christian Hate Mongers Established This Climate Of Intolerance.

I blame them all! The Pope. Falwell. Phelps... they are all loathsome and despicable.