Same Sex Marriage Wins Vote in California

Update: according to an LA Times report, Schwarzenegger plans to veto the gay marriage bill.

The New York Times reports that

California lawmakers on Tuesday became the first in the country to legalize same-sex marriage, with the State Assembly narrowly approving a bill that defines marriage as between 'two persons' instead of between a man and a woman. …

The measure now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, who has supported domestic partnership legislation in the past but has not taken a public position on the marriage bill.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Schwarzenegger, Margita Thompson, said after the vote that the governor believed that the issue of same-sex marriage should be settled by the courts, not legislators, but she did not indicate whether that meant he would veto the legislation. The bill did not pass with enough votes to override a veto.

"The governor will uphold whatever the court decides," Ms. Thompson said.

Let's see what Schwarzenegger is made of. Thompson's statement to the effect that the issue should be settled by the courts sounds like he has the courage of a girlie-man.

Apparently the Republicans can't think of any rational reasons for opposing it. They simply are not comfortable with the idea, but they don't have the courage to say so. Instead they mumble about suibverting the morality of society.

Opponents of the measure warned that lawmakers were venturing into uncharted and potentially dangerous territory.

"Engaging in social experimentation with our children is not the role of the legislature," said Assemblyman Ray Haynes, a Republican from Southern California. "We are throwing the dice and taking a huge gamble, and we are gambling with the lives and future of generations not yet born." …

"We damage the moral fabric of our society, that's what's damaged here," said Assemblyman Dennis L. Mountjoy, a Republican from Southern California.

Assemblyman Jay La Suer, a San Diego Republican, chided his colleagues for sending the wrong message about same-sex marriage, saying that no matter "how you candy coat it," it is wrong.