Statement on CA Marriage Vote
(Friday, September 07, 2007)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement of the passage of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43) by the California Senate:
"We congratulate California Democrats for their overwhelming vote to protect the freedom to marry while safeguarding religious liberty. Our senators have again demonstrated the benefit of a Democratic majority. We hope that our Republican Governor will not choose to take away these freedoms, but instead join with Democrats in legally supporting California families by signing this legislation into law.
The California Democratic Party has a strong record of support for our families, including supporting the freedom to marry within our party platform. We are disappointed that Senator Dean Florez, a Democrat, voted against this vital protection for families. However, we are pleased that Senator Denise Ducheny and Senator Jack Scott chose to change their positions from previous votes to support our party platform and to vote to strengthen families across the state."
- Laurie McBride, Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats (Sacramento, CA)
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43) passed the California Senate today by a largely party-line vote of 22(22D - 0R)-15(14R - 1D). All Senators who voted for the legislation were Democrats. In June, the California Assembly also passed AB 43 by another party-line vote. The legislation now goes two the desk of Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who must act on AB 43 by October 14, 2007.
VOTE BREAKDOWN
Senate Democrats voting Yes: 22
Senate Democrats voting No: 1 (Senator Dean Florez)
Senate Republican voting Yes: 0
Senate Republicans voting No: 14
Two years ago, Democrats passed a similar bill - again along a party-line vote. Despite its support, and the legal ramifications for gay families, it was vetoed by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
National Stonewall Democrats recognizes the work of statewide activists, including Equality California, which led to the passage of this legislation.
The platform of the California Democratic Party supports the freedom of same-sex couples to marry, as do the Democratic platforms of Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Washington State.
------
National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
# # #
