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On February 21, 2008,Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), and his wife the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, at The Puente Learning Center’s dinner honoring Maria Shriver, were asked by Geoff Kors and John Duran of Equality California and myself for the Governor to take a position and pledge to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples in California .
The First Couple of California responded that we should email the details to the Governor’s office. I followed up with an email to the Governor’s office and it was reported in the March 17, 2008 issue off IN Los Angeles Magazine. ( SEE http://www.inlamagazine.com/1102/special_reports/sprt3.html )
On Friday, April 11, 2008, in comments to the Log Cabin Republicans National Convention in San Diego, Schwarzenegger predicted Californians would reject the amendment and came out officially against the proposed initiative. “It’s a great day for the Republican Party and for all California families,” said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. “
Gov. Schwarzenegger is a strong Log Cabin ally and a great friend for gay and lesbian people. His opposition to any anti-marriage amendment is great news. He will be an important voice against this effort.” Governor Schwarzenegger has twice vetoed same-sex marriage bills, stating the courts or the people should decide the issue.
A decision by the California Supreme Court is expected by June 2nd but it has been speculated that the decision will be handed down on Friday, May 23, 2008 and just prior to the 3 day Memorial Day weekend.
It is rumored that there may be a Rose Byrd type of backlash. What that means is left to anyone’s guess, but if the Court were only to affirm the Court of Appeal’s decision, this writer cannot see why there would be any type of backlash. Anti-gay groups are working to gather signatures to put the same-sex marriage constitutional ban on the November ballot. The Governor’s remarks to LCR members came during a public discussion with Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon.
Sammon asked the governor whether he would oppose the effort to ban same-sex marriage. When responding, the governor said: "Well, first of all, I think that it would never happen in California because I think that California people are much further along with that issue. And, number two, I will always be there to fight against that. That's a total waste of time."
See the Historic YouTube video of Schwarzenegger's opposition to the anti-gay marriage amendment
