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AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
The House and Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday voted to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which frowns upon gays serving openly in the military. California's legislature officially opposed the policy on Thursday as well and a full U.S. Senate vote could happen today. That makes is a big week for gay rights and yesterday's news fell on the one year anniversary of the federal Prop 8 case. "We just wanted to touch base with you on the one-year anniversary of our case," the legal team said in an e-mail blast. "We are humbled that in such a short time, so much has happened to help every American secure the equal protection under the law guaranteed by our Constitution." That case moves forward on June 16th when closing arguments will be heard.
Also yesterday, the State Senate approved SB 906, "the bill protects clergy from performing any civil marriage that is contrary to the tenets of his or her faith and provides clear distinctions between civil and religious marriage in state law," according to Equality California, the co-sponsors of the legislation.
The Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act would also protect religious institutions from losing their tax-exempt status for refusing to perform any civil marriage. Additionally, it would define religious and civil marriage, with the latter defined as a civil contract that requires a state-issued marriage license.
About the Photo: State Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, gets a kiss of congratulations from Assemblyman Isadore Hall, D-Compton, after the Assembly approved her resolution urging the federal government to end it's "don't ask, don"t tell" policy on gays in the military, at the Capitol in Sacramento on Thursday, 2010. The Senate Joint Resolution, which had been approved by the Senate was passed by a 51-17 vote and was sent to the governor for his approval.
