Governor Schwarzenegger Reiterates Opposition to Discrimination in the Constitution

by HRC Staff •

Governor's Opposition to Discrimination Reflects American Values, Say HRC and Equality California

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign and Equality California commended California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his unequivocal opposition to putting discrimination in the Constitution. Appearing last night on &quotMSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews,&quot the governor was asked if he would &quotmove to try to change the Constitution&quot should the California Supreme Court rule that the state can no longer deny marriage to same-sex couples he replied, &quotNo, absolutely not.&quot

&quotThe governor's unequivocal opposition to putting discrimination in the Constitution reflects the values of most Americans,&quot said HRC President Joe Solmonese. &quotWe commend the governor for ensuring that the Constitution enshrines freedom and fairness. It's clear that the American appetite for equality knows no partisan boundaries.&quot

&quotFair-minded people understand the importance of the judicial system as a separate, equal branch of government, and the governor understands and values the need to respect the courts,&quot said Executive Director Geoffrey Kors of Equality California. &quotEquality for all Californians is fundamental, and LGBT families should be afforded the same equal treatment.&quot The statewide LGBT civil rights organization is a plaintiff in the case.

On Monday, Judge Richard Kramer - a California Superior Court judge who is a Catholic Republican and was appointed to the bench by Gov. Pete Wilson, another Republican - ruled that same-sex couples can no longer be denied marriage and the rights and protections of marriage under state law. The case will now likely go to an appeals court.

In March 2004 on the &quotTonight Show with Jay Leno,&quot Schwarzenegger rejected amending the Constitution to deny same-sex couples the right to marry, saying, &quotI think those issues should be left to the state, so I have no use for a constitutional amendment or change in that at all.&quot He also said it would be &quotfine with me&quot were California law to change so that same-sex couples were no longer denied the right to marry.



WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign and Equality California commended California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his unequivocal opposition to putting discrimination in the Constitution. Appearing last night on "MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews," the governor was asked if he would "move to try to change the Constitution" should the California Supreme Court rule that the state can no longer deny marriage to same-sex couples he replied, "No, absolutely not."

"The governor's unequivocal opposition to putting discrimination in the Constitution reflects the values of most Americans," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "We commend the governor for ensuring that the Constitution enshrines freedom and fairness. It's clear that the American appetite for equality knows no partisan boundaries."

"Fair-minded people understand the importance of the judicial system as a separate, equal branch of government, and the governor understands and values the need to respect the courts," said Executive Director Geoffrey Kors of Equality California. "Equality for all Californians is fundamental, and LGBT families should be afforded the same equal treatment." The statewide LGBT civil rights organization is a plaintiff in the case.

On Monday, Judge Richard Kramer - a California Superior Court judge who is a Catholic Republican and was appointed to the bench by Gov. Pete Wilson, another Republican - ruled that same-sex couples can no longer be denied marriage and the rights and protections of marriage under state law. The case will now likely go to an appeals court.

In March 2004 on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Schwarzenegger rejected amending the Constitution to deny same-sex couples the right to marry, saying, "I think those issues should be left to the state, so I have no use for a constitutional amendment or change in that at all." He also said it would be "fine with me" were California law to change so that same-sex couples were no longer denied the right to marry.

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