The Next Prop 8?

This November will mark the one year anniversary of the passing Proposition 8, which added the section “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California” to the state constitution. Though the proposition passed by a 52.5% to 47.5% margin, or about 500,000 votes, many Californians remain passionate about overturning the ban.

Last Thursday, a coalition of groups supporting same-sex marriage submitted ballot measure language for a potential initiative repealing Proposition 8. These groups, led by Love Honor Cherish, hope to overthrow the law, which was upheld by the California Supreme Court in May. But these efforts only mark the first step; they will need about 700,000 signatures from registered California voters before April 2010, as well as millions of dollars.

While thousands of people are outraged over the passing of Prop 8, not all same-sex marriage proponents are unified in the push for a 2010 ballot measure. They believe that the measure will more likely prevail in 2012, during the next presidential election. Equality California, the state’s largest gay rights group, announced in August that it would wait until 2012 to propose an amendment. Public opinion polls suggest Californians remains closely divided on the issue of gay marriage, and some gay rights groups, such as Equality California, believe waiting until 2012 could help the repeal gain both popularity and sympathy. However, they did state that they would support the measure if it does make it onto the ballot.

The day after Love Honor Cherish and other groups announced their decision to put the ballot initiative to voters in 2010, former President Clinton publicized his recent decision to change his personal stance on same-sex marriage. During an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, he said that he believes states should ultimately decide on same-sex marriage, but he is not personally opposed, as he once was. In the interview, he said:

"I was against the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage nation-wide, and I still think that the American people should be able to play this out in debates. But me, Bill Clinton personally, I changed my position. I am no longer opposed to that. I think if people want to make commitments that last a lifetime, they ought to be able to do it."

While many Californians, and now former President Clinton, are swaying in support of repealing Proposition 8, some are taking a drastically different approach. On September 1, 2009, Sacramentan John Marcotte submitted proposed legislation to the Attorney General that would add a different initiative to the 2010 state ballot. Entitled the “2010 California Marriage Protection Act,” this legislation would essentially ban divorce in California. He calls it “a logical extension of Prop 8.”

Marcotte, a fervent proponent of Prop 8, describes himself as “a firm believer in traditional family values.” He claims that though the legislation would essentially be diminishing people’s rights, it would be to protect traditional marriage, therefore attracting the same voters who voted “yes” on Prop 8.

On his website, captions like “You said ‘Til death do us part.’ You’re not dead yet” and “Jesus still loves you if you get divorced—just not as much as before” pan across the main page. According to website, the campaign has raised $1105.94 from 45 contributors since September 4. This CNN piece features an interview with him

This would never pass…right? The whole campaign seems pretty ridiculous, but then again, not even a year ago, California voted to ban same-sex marriages and revoke basic rights to a huge community.