Coalition seeks male-female marriage definition New ballot push for constitutional amendment

www.sfgate.com ^ | Thursday, April 28, 2005 | John M. Hubbell, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau

[Fred]

Sacramento -- Leaders of a newly formed coalition of faith-based and conservative political organizations said Wednesday they will work to place a constitutional amendment before voters to define marriage as an institution between a man and a woman.

The announcement by the group, ProtectMarriage.com, came a day after AB19, a bill to make the state's definition of marriage gender-neutral, cleared the first of two committees it must pass to reach a floor vote in the state Assembly.

[Fred]

URL to the org that will be sponsoring the initiative

Protect Marriage Coalition

[Clintonfatigued]

When would this amendment be voted on?

[goldstategop]

We need to amend our State Constitution to tell state judges and liberal Democrats to keep their filthy paws off marriage!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

ping me if you get an accurate response to your question. I know it's too late for March, 2006 so possibly Nov. 2006?

K4

[sierrahome]

I was just thinking back to being in second grade in 1963-64. Mrs Deitzer, our teacher was in her last year before retirement and her grandson was in her class that year. For all of us it was like having your grandma as your teacher.

...I cannot imagine anyone, anywhere in any part of our country that would see the need to debate "the definition of marriage". "Gay" was being happy and also the cute girl in the second row.

Where did America get this crap? Certainly not from Mrs. Dietzer or any of my other teachers. Our Grandparents and Great Grandparents must know there is a lot of explaining to do when many of this generation meet their reward.

[Clintonfatigued]

The November 2006 election is the best possible placing for such a vote. As a former Californian, I remember that a backlash against 1982 ballot initiative on gun control helped elect a Republican governor. Hopefully, this could trigger a CA version of the 1994 elections.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I am here in CA and I do believe that the time limit has ran out to qualify for the Nov. 06 ballot. I may be wrong (hope I am)and that is why I was asking for a ping when someone more knowledgable rang it.

[ronmon]

Even if this is passed by the voters, won't it just be overturned by the 9th circut ala Prop. 209

[goldstategop]

That's true. The liberal Nine Circus would just love to remind us how bigoted and homophobic we all are.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Fred]

There are 2 opportunities, June 2006 primary or the November 2006 general. Be sure to contact the main org. They are in the process of submitting the language to the SOS, once accepted, they will go to work on collecting signatures.

[calcowgirl]

. . . that is why I was asking for a ping when someone more knowledgable rang it.

I'm not more knowledgeable, but according to the following LA Times article two days ago, they are shooting for a June 2006 election:

CA: '06 Ballot Is a Goal for Foes of Gay Marriage

If the Legislature votes to allow gay marriage, said Randy Thomasson, president of the Campaign for Children and Families, it "will ignite the majority of Californians" to support a constitutional amendment that would "override the politicians."

Thomasson said opponents hope to put an initiative before voters by June 2006 and end lawmakers' attempts to sanction same-sex unions. Thomasson offered no details on who would pay for a signature-gathering effort to qualify such a measure for the ballot. But he said his group is already studying language that would amend California's constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

[goldstategop]

I believe it will win handily in California. A similiar constitutional amendment won up north in liberal Oregon. California's politicians are out of step on the issue of family and marriage with the majority of our state's voters.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[calcowgirl]

I hope you're right! :-)

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Thanks for the ping CCG, I appreciate the assistance on topics here in CA.