With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Lawmakers Seek State Constitutional Amendment To Protect Marriage Equality
Marchers carry a rainbow flag in the L.A. Pride Parade on June 8, 2014 in West Hollywood.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
/
Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
Two California lawmakers have introduced a measure that would amend the state constitution to enshrine marriage equality.
What would the measure do? The measure, from State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Silicon Valley Assemblymember Evan Low, would repeal Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage in the state. That law was later repealed in 2013, but the constitutional amendment is still on the books.
Today we’re introducing a constitutional amendment to repeal Prop 8 & protect marriage equality in CA’s Constitution.
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) February 14, 2023
We’ll put it on Nov 24 ballot.
Prop 8 was a hateful attack on LGBTQ people & remains a scar on our Constitution. Given the Supreme Court’s direction, it’s time.
Sponsored message
Why now? Many LGBTQ+ activists are concerned that the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually do away with protections for same sex couples. "No one should rest easy believing that LGBTQ civil rights are safe in this country or in California," said Samuel Garret-Pate with Equality California. "We've seen already that the U.S. Supreme Court is willing to overturn decades of precedent."
What's next? If approved in the state legislature by a two-thirds vote, the measure to amend the state constitution will be on the ballot next November.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
