By Jody Brown and Chad Groening
January 14, 2002
(AgapePress) - Almost two years ago, more than 60% of voters in California approved a proposition which defines marriage in the Golden State as "between a man and a woman." But several pro-family groups now say pro-homosexual forces in the state are attempting to circumvent the voters' will and push through a civil-unions bill that would grant every benefit and privilege of marriage to homosexual couples.
In March 2000, California voters overwhelmingly approved the Protection of Marriage Initiative (Proposition 22) which strongly supported the rights of marriage only for a man and a woman. But Democratic Assemblyman Paul Koretz has now introduced AB 1338 -- a bill that would essentially make a "civil union" between two homosexual men or two lesbians equal in all respects to a marriage between a man and a woman.
The bill, called the Family Protection Act, states the following: "A spouse in a civil union shall have all the same rights, protections, benefits, and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statutes, administrative or court rule, policy, common law, or any other provision or source of law, that are granted a spouse in a civil marriage." Focus on the Family says that according to the bill's author, AB 1338 would affect 1,500 state laws that currently apply only to heterosexual marriage.
The Campaign for California Families says AB 1338 would create "Vermont-style" civil unions in California -- and it is calling on families throughout the state to contact their legislators and Governor Gray Davis to voice their opposition to the bill. CCF is particularly critical of how Davis seems silent on the issue, noting that he said nothing about his position on marriage in last week's 30-minute State of the State address.
"[Davis] mentioned God four times [in the address] but was mute about [AB 1338]," CCF director Randy Thomasson says. "How does the Governor get away with this kind of talk, yet remain silent when marriage is under attack?"
"Davis already cheapened marriage by signing a bill [AB 25] that gave over a dozen right of marriage to homosexual couples," Thomasson adds. "He should reform his ways by saying no to civil unions, which is homosexual marriage by another name."
CCF calls the bill "especially outrageous" in light of the March 2000 vote. CCF's argument is supported by an analysis of the bill conducted by the California-based United State Justice Foundation. That group notes the approval of AB 1338 would violate Proposition 22 -- and that any challenge to Proposition 22 must be through the judicial branch. "The [California] Assembly does not have the legal right to override the will of the people of the State of California," USJF says in its analysis.
"Given California's initiative and proposition process, it would be an affront to the people that a handful of politicians can override the intentions of California's voters," USJF says. "The passage of AB 1338 could only be accomplished by the influence of special interest groups that oppose the will of California's voters. This is constitutionally prohibited."
Other pro-family groups strongly opposed to AB 1338 include Focus on the Family, Sacramento-based Capitol Resource Institute, and the Family Research Council. James Oviedo is director of FOTF's Hispanic outreach. He says polls show that 70% of California's Hispanic population is opposed to the legislation, and that it is arrogant for lawmakers to ignore the will and values of Hispanics they claim to represent.
Karen Holgate, director of policy for Capitol Resource Institute, says her organization is "outraged" the California Legislature appears to easily dismiss the voters' convictions. "Pro-gay demands have gone far beyond the 'live-and-let-live' mantra," Holgate says. "Californians are now being asked to legally recognize that which they clearly have rejected."
FRC calls the terminology in the bill "a thin facade" designed to evade the will of California voters. In addition, FRC says a victory for advocates of homosexual "marriage" in California would be devastating for the future of marriage and family. Holgate recognizes the impact such an action by the country's largest state could have.
"What happens here in California will set a precedent, influencing the definition of marriage in other states across the nation," she says. She believes every American who cares about the sacred institution of marriage ought to be concerned.
Action on AB 1338 must take place before the end of the month because it was left over from the 2001 legislative session.
Vermont Situation
Meanwhile, a conservative Republican legislator in Vermont says the upcoming election cycle in the Green Mountain State will be just as important as in 2000 as pro-family forces continue their attempts to overturn the state's same-sex civil-unions law.
In 2000, pro-family advocates made progress in Vermont as Republicans took control of the State House. But Democrats held on to control of the Senate, as well as the governor's mansion with Howard Dean's re-election. But Dean is stepping down at the end of this term amid speculation that he will run for President.
Nancy Sheltra, a Christian member of the Vermont House, says it is unfortunate that those running to replace the pro-homosexual Dean are, in most cases, no better.
"We have candidates that are horrible," Sheltra says. "[Vermont's former Human Services Secretary Cornelius] Hogan is a facsimile of Dean. We have [Lt. Gov. Douglas] Racine [who] is a tyrant -- he would be worse than Governor Dean, if that's possible."
"And we know [Dean] thinks he wants to run for the president of this nation," she notes. "[I'm] forewarning people out there, you don't want this man as President of your country -- believe me, I can tell you what he's done to this state, and we are in a horrendous situation."
Sheltra says her own Vermont GOP must also shape up. She says the Speaker of the House recently went on public radio and said that moral issues are not that important to him. That, she says, leads her to believe that "he doesn't understand what God says to us as a people and what He expects from us."
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