California Voters Have a Chance to Repeal Prop 8

metroweekly.com:

Associated Press.The push for the amendment appears to be motivated by the idea that the conservative U.S. Supreme Court may one day reverse its own precedent and overturn its previous decisions allowing marriage equality, meaning any state bans still on the books would immediately become enforceable.While Democrats have long vilified the voter-approved ban, they could have moved sooner to repeal it at any point within the past decade.However, the Supreme Court’s recent lurch rightward on several social issues — following the confirmation of three conservative justices nominated by former President Donald Trump — appears to have led some on the political Left to take a more proactive approach by repealing the ban outright rather than relying on court decisions.“What we are doing today is joyous,” Sen.

Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), an out gay man and one of 11 primary co-sponsors from both chambers, said during debate on the proposed amendment. “What the voters, I believe, will do next year is joyous.

This is about recognizing the fundamental humanity of all 40 million Californians.”Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), one of the Republicans who abstained from voting, cited religious objections to same-sex marriage as a reason he couldn’t vote for the amendment, according to the Associated Press.“I truly, truly love so many of you that have lost your rights,” Dahle said, addressing LGBTQ lawmakers in the chamber. “This is about me.

It’s not about our relationship. It’s about what I think I need to do in my faith.”But Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), another co-sponsor of the amendment, argued that the vote should have nothing to do with personal religious beliefs.“It is about whether the government we serve in a pluralistic.