San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom says the state Supreme Court's ruling allowing gay couples to marry in California now demands that he tour the state to discuss the issue with residents. Newsom said he might even come to Fresno to help County Clerk Victor Salazar carry out the ruling. Read the San Francisco Chronicle story here about Newsom's plans.
This is what Newsom told reporters in San Francisco about the ruling:
"This is not just San Francisco, It's Walnut Creek. It's Long Beach. It's the southern part of the state in San Diego. It's in Riverside. ... It's in Fresno that this is now appropriate and legal. I may go to Fresno to support their county clerk."
Newsom set the legal battle in motion four years ago when he allowed gay and lesbian couples to get licenses to marry. The Supreme Court ruled last week that Newsom's action was legal.
So now Newsom may tour the state explaining the issue. Of course, Newsom, a Democrat, is considering running for governor in 2010, and this tour may help him set up campaign operations around California.
Here's what Willie Brown, former Assembly speaker and onetime mayor of San Francisco, said about Newsom's plans:
"He can go to all 58 counties if he's smart and have his friends in the gay community give him human rights awards in every county. He is Gay Marriage Sam, so he has no choice but to try to make it as respectable and as apple pie as possible."
But this issue is divisive in California, and it may not be wise hanging your gubernatorial hopes soley on alowing gays to marry. In addition, voters may have a say about the Supreme Court's rule in an initiative that opponents of gay marriage are trying to qualify. This issue might boost your name ID in California, but there's a downside.
Don't forget that in 2000, just over 61% of California voters said that marriage should only be "between a man and a woman." I suspect that something close to that margin would hold in 2008.
Willie Brown's statement is an example of why the current Mayor of SF should go around the country.
Leave the gay people alone, they should have equal rights as any other person.
Boycott Cornerstone Church until its leader leaves. He is just promoting hate against people in our Community.
I dont see why anyone would use it's hall for any function when they single out people in our Community.
As a human rights advocate I can not sit back and let our segment of our society get singled out like this.
Stay in Church and out of our Constitution.
If Newsome is trying to set upcampaign operations so be it. He will never get my vote. If he wants to push the same sex marriage plans he will hopefully face a lot of oppozsition as we the voters have already spoken on this issue and it is ridiculous for a few judges to overturn the voices of the people of California.
Fresno County Clerk Victor Salazar sent me this email in response to this blog item:
"There is a general expectation that same-sex marriages will be performed 30 days after the Supreme Court’s decision. This is not necessarily so. The Court’s ruling was that the case be remanded to the lower court for the issuance of a writ of mandate to state officials to effectuate implementation consistent with the Court’s opinion.
"When counties receive direction from the State, implementation will begin. In Fresno County, we will follow the law; however, that depends on specific direction from the Secretary of State’s office regarding new procedures, especially state forms. Counties are waiting to hear from the Secretary’s office. Hopefully they’ll be proactive and prepare directions so that it may be expeditiously disseminated as soon as a writ is issued."
It was not that long ago that a white man and a black woman could not marry. It took time after that for a black man to safely marry a white woman. Now the government is once again in the middle of human being's personal relationships and choices.
I say...if the two people are consenting adults, butt out. This is a personal life decision. This is NOT about religion. I am ashamed of most people I talk to who call themselves christians and then spit out such judgmental hate.
I AM FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND HATE AND CHURCH AND STATE.
The California Supreme Court did not make gay marriage legal. It said that calling it "marriage" for heterosexuals but a "domestic partnership" for homosexuals was unconstitutional. Therefore, "marriage" must apply to both heterosexuals and homosexuals. The court didn't institute gay marriage, it simply said that the "California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians". Apparently, California has had gay marriage all along, all that was needed was the proper interpretation, which the court was more than happy to provide. It wasn't them, it was us.
The California Supreme Court's ruling is correct because a ban on same sex marriage violates the rights of people in this state. Obviously those voters who vote against same sex marriage are those who don't understand, and ironically, it has no effect on them whatsoever.
Homosexuality is not a choice. This is a sexual orientation that is born into millions of people around the world. It's not only been proven, it should be very obvious to anyone with any intelligence. That said, it always astounds me why people continually try and deny these people their right to marry?
By the way...don't give me the "sanctity of marriage" argument. We heteros have a divorce rate around 50-60% and far too many have affairs. Isn't there something wrong when two people of the opposite sex who just met can get married while on a drunken stupor in Vegas, and it's legal, but two people of the same sex who have lived together in love, committed to each other for 15 years can not?
If you are heterosexual, and vote against same sex marriage, here's a news flash: It's not about you.
Mayor Newsome may be 'Gay marriage Sam' but he is no shining example of 'marriage'. Wonder how his best friend feels about the Mayor having an affair with his wife. 'Gay Marriage Sam' has been hanging with his Gay Friends too long. In that circle it is quite common to dally with other's partners, guess Mayor Sam just wants his Gay Friends to have the same level playing field. So much for the sacred rite of marriage.
Wasn’t Newsom the in-the-process of divorce guy (using this term in only a very loose sense of the word) that admitted to a 05 affair with his campaign manager's wife? Newsom not only betrayed a friend and onetime deputy chief of staff, but certainly raised many questions of character.
For any Democrat running for elected office in the state of California, this trait is, of course, looked upon as a "resume enhancement."
I don't know if that was his intent, but Mr. DeFrees highlights how ridiculous the argument is that same-sex marriage somehow threatens the institution of marriage. It seems downright silly to get alarmed that two people of the same gender can finally marry, while someone like Britney Spears can "marry" her high school chum, and change her mind and divorce the next day. If marriage is under attack, the attack is coming from our side of the field, not the gay side.
Gay folks should be able to legally marry. Looking at the divorce rate of hetero couples, I'm sure we'll se the same thing happen to the gays.
I married an American 58 years ago and I came to America 56 years ago. And
I still cannot figure out
the screwed up priorities of the people. Why can't Americans stay out of other
people's sex life. Gay or straight.
"Traditional" marriage is an abject failure. Over 50% end in divorce. More than a few end in murder.
According to the "traditional" marriage folks' argument before the Supreme Court, when one cuts through the b.s. the sole purpose of marriage is procreation--in other words, breeding. How sad.
So Gavin Newsome, a well documented adulterer who cuckolded one of his best friends may come to Fresmno to explain the recent Supreme Court decision on Gay marriage. Seems like the gays could have chosen someone of better character!!
Who is Gavin Newsom to delare that a vote by over 60% of the electorate wasa wrong headed ballot measure? What's next for the Golden State? Are we approaching that point where Farmer X can woo and win his favorite sheep, orperhaps his chicken? Fowl play mey be legal! As I write this, people with agendas are perusing every word of our constitution to find a phrase, a nuance, an intimation that would make the previous situations viable...just as they have done with gay marriages and women's rights. As to the latter, let's have it further revuewed by the Supremes, since it seems to me that if women can do as they please with their bodies, whyxcan't they "rent" them out for sex when they feel so inclined? Before some constitutional scholar rips me apart for not referring Amendment this or that, let me state without equivocatiob, that interpreting the constitution is not my strong point!! I'm still entitled to my opinion!!
P.S. Ifgay marriage is finally made legal, and one parner dies..how does the average person know how to address thye survivor...as a "widow" or "widower"?
Shouldn't the lying, adulterous mayor be spending his time on the problems of his little kingdom by the bay? Isabelle...the homosexuals are the ones all caught up in their sex lives and keep pushing their agenda on the rest of society.Not the other way around and I resent your swipe at the American people.Sounds like you should return to where you immigrated from if you are so dissatisfied. Why do we have to accept their definition of marriage over what has been accepted for thousands of years. A lot of noise from a small percentage that's determined to undermine traditional values.
Newsome is a lying adulterous mayor, but his sins pale in comparison to those of our own conservative leadership. I don't recall "traditional values" mentioned in the constitution- but the "pursuit of happiness" sure is!
Why are most of you so easy to shoot the messenger (Gavin Newsome)?
How about the ones who care little of our constitution?
Brian, marriage has been excepted for thousands of years, no one is rejecting that.
Telling people to leave our Country un-American. Just because you do not live someone else's lifestyle does not justify telling them to leave America.