Sometimes persistence pays off. One of the most persistent champions of gay and lesbian civil rights in this country is Mark Leno, currently our Assemblyman and soon to be our State Senator. Thank you and congratulations to Mark Leno for a remarkable job of tirelessly pushing through this legislation - twice!
In the photo: Mark Leno in the 2007 San Francisco Pride Parade
For the second time in two years, the California Legislature has passed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate on September 7 approved AB 43, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California.
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43) is almost identical to the bill the Legislature passed in 2005. California remains the only state in the nation that has approved marriage for same-sex couples through the legislative process.
Leno picked up three new votes in the Senate this year from Senators Ducheny, Padilla and Scott. Senators Ducheny and Scott abstained from voting in 2005. The EQCA PAC played a critical role in the 2006 elections to increase the pro-marriage majority in the Legislature.
The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for consideration. The governor must take action on all bills by October 14.
Drop Governor Schwarzenegger a line and ask him to sign the bill this time.
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