The California Legislature on Tuesday became the first legislative body in the country to approve same-sex marriages, as gay-rights advocates overcame two earlier defeats in the Assembly.
The 41-35 vote sends the bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The bill's supporters compared the legislation to earlier civil rights campaigns, including efforts to eradicate slavery and give women the right to vote.
"Do what we know is in our hearts," said the bill's sponsor, San Francisco Democrat Mark Leno. "Make sure all California families will have the same protection under the law."
Agreed. If any other population demographic were treated in the manner that smokers (and Christians) currently are, there would be a massive and unrestrained hue and cry throughout the 'mainstream' press over the horrific injustices that are being inflicted. Smokers and Christians are currently among the groups that are regarded as "okay to discriminate against in the most brutal manner possible"
It's not that we don't - it's that we can't (meet that level of political clout) ...smokers are politically incorrect, and don't have buckets of money coming in to support our efforts.