Two Same-Sex Marriage Initiatives Submitted for 2010 Ballot

We were just notified by the AG’s Office that two Proposition 8-related 2010 ballot propositions were submitted today.  This does not mean these measures are on the ballot; the initiative’s sponsors still need to go get 600,000+ signatures.  Usually that takes a money, and a lot of it.  Those people who hassle you with petitions outside of grocery stores don’t do it for free.

No details yet about the folks behind these initiatives.  We’re working on finding out all that out right now.  But here’s the test of the proposed laws:

The first initiative is the California Marriage Equality Act.  It repeals Prop 8.  It is sponsored by a group called “YES! on Equality“:

An act to repeal Section 7.5 of Article I of the California Constitution; therefore provisions to be repealed are printed in strike-through text.

Section 1. Title

This measure shall be known, and may cited [sic], as the “California Marriage Equality Act.”

Section 2.  Section 7.5 Article I of the California Constitution shall be repealed, stricken, and removed as such: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.

The second initiative replaces the word “marriage” with “domestic partnerships.”  There are two individuals sponsoring the initiative, but no details as to whether or not they are part of a larger organization:

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.

Obviously if the the California Supreme Court overturns Prop 8, then there’s no need for the California Marriage Equality Act, but the “Domestic Partnership Initiative” could still go forward…now that would be interesting.

For our take on the idea of replacing “marriage” with “domestic partnerships”,  check out our posts here.