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California throws out law on gay marriages
Ed Harris6 Nov 2008
CALIFORNIA has voted to ban same-sex marriages, overturning a right which the state gave to gays and lesbians only months ago.
Voters in Florida and Arizona also outlawed gay marriages in polls that coincided with the presidential elections, adding to the list of dozens of states with similar laws.
It came on the day the US elected its first black president, Barack Obama, who won California and Florida.
Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council, which campaigned for the anti-gay marriage measures, said the votes signalled that Mr Obama's mandate was for economic policy, "not one to implement a radical social policy".
Mr Perkins said: "What lost last night was the Republican Party, but it was not a rejection of traditional or moral values, because you have two states that voted for Barack Obama - Florida and California - that also passed the marriage amendments."
California's supreme court had declared same-sex marriage a right in May, prompting a flood of weddings.
But the state's voters changed its constitution to rescind the right after one of the most expensive ballot campaigns in history, in which both sides combined raised roughly $70million (£43million).
Of the three measures to ban gay marriages, California's "proposition eight" was the most watched as the state is the most populous and overturned a court-approved right. The state is also perceived as a political and cultural leader.
The move was greeted with dismay by activists and celebrities. Ellen DeGeneres said she was "saddened beyond belief" by the passage of the constitutional amendment.
The talk show host said that she, "like millions of Americans, felt like we had taken a giant step toward equality" by electing Barack Obama as President. Mr Obama supports civil unions, which are legal in other US states, but opposes same-sex marriages.
Legal challenges were yesterday launched against the California ban and debates also started on whether existing same-sex marriages would be recognised. Dan Schur of the University of Southern California said the high turnout for Mr Obama may have helped pass proposition eight.
Reader views (8)
Why not follow through with the separation of church and state like we should be doing? The state has no business lobbying marriage, which is a sacrament. Here is a possible compromise that burdens no one group. All couples, whether same-sex or opposite, are required to purchase a license and go see the judge for a civil union. Those who wish can later appear before the minister of their choice to be "married". No one wants to deprive anyone of equal rights. The civil union would level the table as far as rights go. requiring a trip to a church would keep the "marriage" terminology where it belongs - in the church.
- Wanda T. Ziemba, San Francisco, USA, 06/11/2008 22:47
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To clarify, the state didn't give homosexuals the right to marry, 4 unelected judges overturned a earlier proposition
passed by an overwhelming majority of californians that banned homosexual marriage.
- George, california,usa, 06/11/2008 20:27
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"What would be Obama's reaction if black people could only have a 'civil union'?"
er...Greg - what has this story got to do with Obama or indeed with black people? The Republicans control California
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 06/11/2008 19:50
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"Gay marriages are like chinese meals - half an hour later they want another one"
Yes it does seem that gay men change partners far morethan anyone else, so marriage is a meaningless blow-out and drinking session
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 06/11/2008 18:39
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And who says marriage is only between man and woman? I know, the bible, but that book says a lot of things. And maybe Squiz would like to tell us the divorce rate for heterosexual couples? As far as I'm concerned marriage is between 2 people who would like to make a commitment to each other.
- Kev, London, 06/11/2008 15:15
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Marraige is between a man and a woman. If gays want there partnerships recognized, they can have a civil union, its that simple.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 06/11/2008 14:27
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Gay marriages are like chinese meals - half an hour later they want another one.
- Squiz, Islington, 06/11/2008 13:44
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What would be Obama's reaction if black people could only have a 'civil union'?
Either people are equal or they're not.
- Greg, cheshire, 06/11/2008 11:50
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