SACRAMENTO, Calif. (BP)–Social conservatives cheered when California Supreme Court Justice Janice Rogers Brown was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the federal appeals court June 8, but her departure from that state’s highest court isn’t all good news.
Brown’s absence from the California Supreme Court could prove significant when it takes up the issue of “gay marriage” in the next year or two. A conservative, she almost certainly would have voted against “gay marriage” legalization.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, will choose her successor. Schwarzenegger is considered a moderate to liberal on social issues.
Homosexual activists already are trying to influence Schwarzenegger.
“As we look ahead, we expect the governor and our elected officials to do what is right and select a fair-minded nominee that wholeheartedly believes in equal and fair treatment for all Californians,” Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California, told the homosexual news website 365Gay.com.
In March a California judge ruled that “gay marriage” must be legalized. The ruling is being appealed. The next stop for the case is the state appeals court. After that, the state Supreme Court would hear it.
NAVAJO NATION OVERRIDES VETO — The Navajo Nation’s tribal government voted 62-14 June 3 to override President Joe Shirley Jr.’s veto of a ban on “gay marriage.” The vote means that “gay marriage” is now illegal on the largest American Indian reservation. Shirley had vetoed the ban in May, saying it was unnecessary.
“In the traditional Navajo ways, gay marriage is a big ‘no, no,'” Navajo delegate Kenneth Maryboy, who voted for the ban, told the Associated Press. “It all boils down to the circle of life. We were put on the earth to produce offspring.”
LIBERAL QUITS OVER MARRIAGE BILL — The Canadian Liberal Party’s support for a “gay marriage” bill has forced one Liberal member of Parliament (MP) to jump ship. MP Pat O’Brien said June 6 he was switching from the Liberals and would now consider himself an independent, due to the fact that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin is pushing the “gay marriage” bill for passage before the summer break. O’Brien had hoped to see a delay until the fall.
Although O’Brien’s departure weakens the Liberal government, his absence is offset by Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal, who is taking a “stress leave” in the face of political accusations.
The Conservative and Bloc Quebecois parties nearly toppled the Liberal government in May. The Liberals survived a no-confidence vote when the Liberal House speaker broke a 152-152 tie. A loss for the Liberals would have forced an election.
AMENDMENT LOSES IN MAINE — A constitutional marriage amendment failed to make it out of the Maine House of Representatives June 7, falling well short of the two-thirds majority needed and even failing to get a simple majority, the Bangor Daily-News reported. Fifty-six representatives supported it, 88 opposed it.
Although 18 states have adopted a marriage amendment — and others likely will follow — no state in the Northeast has done so. Massachusetts has come closest, with its legislature passing an amendment that bans “gay marriage” and legalizes civil unions. It must pass again this fall in order to go to voters.
Maine state Rep. Roger Sherman, a Republican, supported the amendment.
“To me it is not a question of morality, it’s about protecting an institution that’s been in place for thousands of years,” he was quoted as saying in the Daily-News. “It is one of the building blocks of our society.”
Meanwhile, a senate committee in Oregon passed a bill that would approve civil unions June 7. Even if it passes the senate, it faces stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled house, The Oregonian reported.
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For more information about the national debate over “gay marriage,” visit http://www.bpnews.net/samesexmarriage
