Gay, lesbian lawmakers offer resolution, seek governor's apology

AP via North County Times ^ | February 25, 2004 | ANNA OBERTHUR

[calcowgirl]

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Members of the Legislature's gay and lesbian caucus Wednesday said they will introduce a resolution calling on legislators to oppose a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage proposed by President Bush.

The legislators also asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to apologize for remarks he made last weekend about same-sex marriages happening in San Francisco that they called "insulting" and "inflammatory."

"Governor Schwarzenegger has been a great disappointment and has done a great disservice to Californians," said Assemblywoman Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego. "The governor's description of what is happening in San Francisco ... is misleading and inaccurate. I hope that was not his intention."

The lawmakers were referring to comments Schwarzenegger made Sunday during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"In San Francisco, it is license for marriage of same sex. Maybe the next thing is another city that hands out licenses for assault weapons and someone else hands out licenses for selling drugs, I mean you can't do that," Schwarzenegger said.

"All of a sudden we see riots and we see protests and we see people clashing. The next thing we know is there's injured or there's dead people," the governor said.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Feb. 12 decision has allowed more than 3,300 same-sex couples to marry. Newsom says he's following the California Constitution's equal protection clause, which demands that all people be treated equally.

The caucus wants the governor to "tone down his rhetoric," said Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who is chairman of the five-member Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus. California was the first state in the country to recognize an official caucus of openly gay and lesbian state legislators.

"We need the governor to issue an apology to all fair-minded Californians and to explain whatever misunderstanding there may have been in his comments," Leno said.

"To hear the man who is governor of the state equate what is happening in San Francisco ... with assault weapons and drug dealing was almost more than I could take," said Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, who has been with her female partner for 25 years.

Members of the caucus also criticized Bush, accusing him of using same-sex marriage to divert the public's attention from issues like American jobs and Iraq.

The only proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage, H.J. Res. 56, would also prohibit gay and lesbian couples from getting any of the benefits of marriage, including adoption rights, inheritance rights and health coverage, Leno said.

Such an amendment would be the "atom bomb" on the gay and lesbian community, Leno said.

The caucus' resolution opposing the amendment will be introduced in the next few days and will be eligible to be heard by a policy committee in March, he said.

[calcowgirl]

Past due time to take out some of our 'esteemed' legislators, IMO.

[calcowgirl]

ping

[anniegetyourgun]

Such an amendment would be the "atom bomb" on the gay and lesbian community, Leno said.

Odd, marriage wasn't even on their minds 30 years ago. Now, without it, they will surely die? Please.....the histrionics....

[SierraWasp]

This is so far over the top... It's GOT to be stopped... This deliberate tormenting of traditional American culture and family values.

More than a "Terminator" or even an "Equalizer," we need a "Stabilizer!"

Stability is crucial to everything! Our economy, our culture, our way of life!!!

I'm sick to death of "activists!"

[Viking2002]

THIS is the 'apology' Arnie ought to give them:

"Twelve-gauge autoloader." *BOOM* "The .45 longslide with laser sighting." *BLAM*BLAM*BLAM* "Phased plasma rifle in the 40-Watt range." *BZZZZZZT!* " The Uzi 9 millimeter." *BBRRRAAAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT*

"I'll be back."

ROTLFMAO :-)

[AmishDude]

Please.....the histrionics....

I would say "Drama Queens" but that would be totally inappropriate.

[anonymous_user]

The legislators also asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to apologize for remarks he made last weekend about same-sex marriages happening in San Francisco that they called "insulting" and "inflammatory."

Exactly 180-degrees out. What this asshat mayor has took it upon himself to do in San Franscisco is "insulting" and "inflammatory."

[anniegetyourgun]

Totally, dude....

[BykrBayb]

Is the gov. supposed to apologize for the law being disregarded, putting other laws at risk of being disregarded? He's not to blame for that. SF is. Or is he supposed to apologize for explaining to these morons what the chain reaction could be if SF is allowed to disregard the law?

[longtermmemmory]

Homosexuals are loosing. They KNOW the FMA will stop their homosexual behavior as a private act not a public act. They hate being ignored.

[longtermmemmory]

Homosexuals know they have offended the public at large. Their cover for offending everyone is to have themselves claim the status of "victim" and demand an appology.

Red herring.

Homosexuals want an appology? fine, agree to legislation declaring the SF fake licenses VOID as a matter of law. Not voidable, because that implies validity before voiding. AND support the legislators voting for FMA.

THEN after FMA passes we can consided their offendedness.

[Dog Gone]

Hey, I'm surprised that this caucus only consists of five members. That's not even enough people to qualify for an orgy.

[dmanLA]

Arnold's response....'GO POUND SAND!'

[AZamericonnie]

Love your tag...

[anonymous_user]

I thought it was, "So you vant to be a fah-mer? Hiss a kapple uf ACHERS!" *kick to the gonads*

[Viking2002]

:-) My tags tend to get noticed. I have a pool of self-created ones that I rotate from time to time. :-)

[AZamericonnie]

I must find time to get tag creative, or is your surplus on the open market? lol

[calcowgirl]

Hey, I'm surprised that this caucus only consists of five members. That's not even enough people to qualify for an orgy.

That is one disgusting thought.

L to R: Leno, Kuehl, Goldberg, Laird, and Kehoe

[Viking2002]

I'll let you have this one - slightly dinged, but good tires, low mileage, and a fresh oil change:

'Liberals can't take the heat unless they're the ones with their hands on the thermostat'.

Remember: all copyrights apply. LOL

[Dog Gone]

Wow, I'm getting hot just looking at that group.