News

Log Cabin Disappointed by Governor Schwarzenegger's Veto of Civil Marriage Equality

October 13, 2007

Sacramento, CA – "Log Cabin Republicans express disappointment in Governor Schwarzenegger's decision to once again veto legislation to provide civil marriage equality," said Patrick Sammon, President of Log Cabin Republicans.

"Log Cabin Republicans take the Governor at his word, that if, and when, the courts of California join the legislature in recognizing the right to civil marriage equality, he will support that decision," continued Sammon.

In his veto message, Governor Schwarzenegger said, "I support current domestic partner rights and will continue to vigorously defend and support these rights."

"Though we disagree with the Governor's veto decision, we thank him for sending a strong signal to the people of California that he will not allow the initiative process to marginalize gay and lesbian families," said James Vaughn, Log Cabin's California Director. "We look forward to working with the Governor to defeat any anti-marriage or anti-domestic partnership ballot initiative."

Log Cabin praises the Governor for signing eight pieces of pro-gay legislation:

• SB 559 retroactively grants domestic partners exemptions from property tax reassessment after the death of a partner.
• SB 105 implements joint tax filing by domestic partners.
• AB 102 allows couples to take the last name of either partner at registration of their domestic partnership.
• AB 394 reinforces the anti-discrimination laws for gay youth in schools.
• SB 443 makes it possible for HIV positive men to have children through artificial insemination.
• AB 682 changes the process for patient permission to get an HIV/AIDS test.
• AB 14 updates the anti-discrimination policies in several sections of the law.
• SB 777 reinforces anti-discrimination policies in the education code.

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed twenty-seven pro-gay bills, more than any of the past California Governors combined. "The Governor has one of the strongest pro-gay records of any Governor in American history. He is a proven friend of our community," said Vaughn. "And while friends don't always agree, we appreciate his on-going support for basic fairness. We will continue working with him on the final barrier to provide complete equality for gay people in California."