Same-sex unions OKd by Assembly

The legislation by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) would make California the only state besides Massachusetts to sanction same-sex couples, but it is likely to be vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Leno said he is not dissuaded by the governor's public comments in February that he would veto same-sex marriage legislation. Leno, whose bill, AB 43, must still pass the Senate, said he hopes to introduce the governor to "children and families who suffer on a regular basis due to the current inequity in the law."

"I don't care what pronouncements he's made, it's his job to come to learn about this issue and to let us have our moment," said Leno, an openly gay legislator. "I'm certain that he's an open-minded and open-hearted individual and when he learns more, he'll understand more."

The bill passed 42 to 34 after a 90-minute debate during which 27 of the Assembly's 80 members rose to speak. All Republicans voted no, and they were joined by two Democrats -- Nicole Parra of Hanford and Wilmer Amina Carter of Rialto.

Three other Democrats abstained: Juan Arambula of Fresno, Mike Davis of Los Angeles and Cathleen Galgiani of Stockton. Assemblywoman Nell Soto (D-Pomona) missed the vote due to illness.

Leno argued that California's existing domestic partnership laws do not give same-sex partners all the same rights and obligations afforded to married couples. He described a couple of 50 years. One of the men died of a heart attack, Leno said, and the survivor lost access to his partner's healthcare, Social Security and veteran's benefits and wound up homeless.

"That is what our public policymaking is doing," Leno said.

Although the chamber was crowded and hushed for the debate in 2005, the Assembly was half-empty Tuesday, and lawmakers walked around chatting.

Many Democrats who addressed the chamber called the issue one of equity, and compared it to women's suffrage and the civil rights movement.

"Our founding fathers used the word 'all,' not 'select,' when they talked about our rights," Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) said.

Assemblyman Charles Calderon (D-Montebello) said that years ago he was frightened by the idea of gay marriage but he now sees it as a matter of fairness.