California governor not partisan when it comes to marriage

Governator To Fight Anti-Gay Amendment
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: April 11, 2008 - 8:00 pm ET

(San Diego, California) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says that if an initiative to ban gay marriage qualifies for the November ballot, he's prepared to fight it.

California's governor spoke Friday in San Diego at the convention of the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation's largest gay Republican group.

He has previously vetoed bills that would have legalized gay marriage. Both times Schwarzenegger said that the courts or the people through a plebiscite should decide the issue.

The California Supreme Court took up same-sex marriage earlier this year. A decision by the court is expected by June 5th.

Conservative groups, supported by many California Republicans, are working to gather signatures to put a same-sex marriage constitutional ban on the November ballot.

Schwarzenegger said he was confident a ban would never pass in California and called the effort "a waste of time."

Schwarzenegger's remarks came during a public discussion with Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon about the future of the Republican Party.

Sammon asked the Governor whether he would oppose the effort to ban same-sex marriage.

Schwarzenegger replied: "First of all, I think that it [the marriage ban] will never happen in California. I think that California people are much further along on that issue. And, number two, I will always be there to fight against that. It will never happen."

The Governor's commitment to fight the proposed amendment drew cheers from Log Cabin members who gave him a standing ovation..

"His opposition to any anti-marriage amendment is great news," said Sammon. "He will be an important voice against this effort."

The commitment also drew praise from California's largest LGBT civil rights organization.

"[W]e are thrilled that he will be there with us to ‘fight against’ it should it qualify for the ballot," said Equality Cal;ifornia Executive Director Geoff Kors.

"Equality is not a partisan issue, and the governor demonstrated that with his statement today. His opposition to the constitutional amendment now in circulation adds to his record of supporting many LGBT issues, including signing at least 20 bills during his time in office."