Opponents of gay marriage see hope in ballot measure
A proposed constitutional amendment could before voters in November. It would say that 'only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.'
Opponents of same-sex marriage in California expressed dismay after the state's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the unions today, but said the ruling will likely galvanize supporters of November ballot measure that would bar same-sex marriages.
"This is yet another example of why the people need to go to the polls in November to defend the historic and natural definition of marriage," said Ron Prentice, executive director of the Sacramento and Riverside-based California Family Council which opposes same-sex marriage.
A coalition of religious and conservative activists has submitted 1.1 million signatures to qualify a constitutional amendment for the November ballot that would say that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
The secretary of state's office is currently conducting a random sample of the signatures and is scheduled to announce by June 18 whether there are sufficient signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.
But, backers are confident the measure will qualify because only 763,790 signatures were needed.
"The initiative will be on the ballot because we have more than enough signatures," said Andrew Pugno, an attorney for the sponsors.
If the measure is approved by the voters, it would overturn the Supreme Court decision, Pugno said.
He said the Supreme Court decision is a boost for the ballot measure because opponents have been saying there is no real threat that same sex marriages will happen.
"This decision draws a line in the sand and makes it clear that this is the last chance for voters to have a say," Pugno said. "This is proof positive for voters that the courts are out of control and the voters have to step up."
Many opponents of same-sex marriage saw today's court ruling as a rejection of past ballot measures against same-sex marriage, most recently Proposition 22, a ballot measure defining marriage as between a man and a woman that passed in 2000 with 61% of the vote.
"In declaring a right to same sex marriage in the California constitution, the court showed an outrageous lack of respect for the expressed will of a majority of California voters and ignored a long history of legal precedent supporting traditional marriage," said Jennifer Monk, legal counsel for Murrieta-based Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a nonprofit that has represented the Proposition 22 Legal Defense and Education Fund.
