Ballot Measure Petitions to Overturn Proposition 8 Begin Circulation

[t0dd]

I've included both proposed Constitutional amendment initiatives below for convenience...

From Ms. magazine
http://www.msmagazine.com/news/uswirestory.asp?ID=11596

Two petitions are now in circulation in California that seek to repeal the state's ban on same-sex marriage. One potential ballot measure would replace the term 'marriage' with 'domestic partnership' under California law, thereby voiding Proposition 8. The second would void Proposition 8 by striking the article of the state constitution that states "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

The first petition, known as the Domestic Partnership Initiative, in part reads that the purpose of using the term 'domestic partnership' is "to provide equality amongst all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, without offending the religious sect."

Yes! on Equality filed the second petition, which would strike the Constitutional Amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman from the state constitution.
...

Domestic Partner Initiative
http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/initiatives/pdfs/i800_09-0003_domestic_partnership_initiative.pdf

Section 1: Title
This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "Domestic Partnership Initiative"

Section 2: Summary
The proposed measure calls for the term "marriage" to be removed from government legislation. The State of California's Law code would have "marriage" replaced with "domestic partnership," while the definition and the rights provided would remain the same. The purpose of which is to provide equality amongst all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, without offending the religious sect. Legally speaking, "Marriage" itself would become a social ceremony, recognized by only non-governmental institutions. Furthermore, the initiative would void Proposition 8.

California Marriage Equality Act
http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/initiatives/pdfs/i799_09-0002_amdt_1s.pdf

Section 1: Title
This measure shall be known, and may be cited, as the "California Marriage Equality Act"

Section 2: Summary
(a) Section 7.5 of Article I of the California Constitution shall be repealed, stricken, and removed as such:
Sec. 7.5 Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California

(b) This section is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, modify or change the curriculum in any school.

(c) This section is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, mandate or require clergy of any church to perform a service or duty incongruent with their faith.

[msongs]

1. bad news!! multiple measures on the same ballot confuse voters and dilute response

much better to have just one.

Msongs

[FreeState]

3. One will get dropped and not pushed (most likely the Domestic Partnership one)

The most recent one that restores marriage to all is supported by most groups, the domestic partnership one was put on the ballot by a smaller group and will more than likely be withdrawn before signatures are even gathered. The same thing actually happened with Prop 8 - there were two competing amendments and one was eventually dropped in favor of what is now Prop 8 - the competing one did away with Domestic Partnerships and Marriage Equality.

[auntsue]

2. Marriage is already

a "legal ceremony" plenty of people get married without "benefit" of any religeous ceremony. There is marriage and then there is "Holy matrimony". If we change the name to domestic partnership it is capitulation and dilutes the whole issue.
Maybe every one should have to have a civil ceremony to be married and then they can have their church "bless" their marriage, or not. The words, "by the authority vested in me by the state of california" are part of the usual service, then "what God has joined etc." is added. So the state could have a whole new crew of folks to do the civil part and let the churches bless or not as they choose. Take the state power away from the preachers and let them only bless.

[Q3JR4]

4. ....

(b) This section is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, modify or change the curriculum in any school.

(c) This section is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, mandate or require clergy of any church to perform a service or duty incongruent with their faith.

These two lines effectively cut the legs out of the arguments they used in the last round of the elections. I have faith that prop. 8 will be overturned, I just hope that they keep up the protests and start with the sit ins. Keep the pressure on California and hit em hard starting right now.

Q3JR4.