The Domestic Partner Initiative has obtained clearance from the California Attorney General's office to seek signatories to a petition to put the following proposal for a statutory initiative on the 2010 ballot:
The Attorney General of California has prepared the following title and summary
of the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE.
Replaces the term “marriage” with the term “domestic partnership” throughout California law,
but preserves the rights provided in marriage. Applies equally to all couples, regardless of
sexual orientation. Repeals the provision in California’s Constitution that states only marriage
between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by
Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government:
This measure would have an unknown fiscal effect on state and local governments. (09-0003.)
This effort is spot on, imho. It's the brainchild of two undergraduates, from UCSD and Cal Arts.
According to the SF Chronicle, the No on 8 crew is dissing it as denying equality for gays (???), and the Yes on 8 team describes it as "taking marriage away" from straights. It doesn't take marriage away from anyone who wants a ceremony of marriage. Frankly, it's a technical change in the law. And it is very close to what South Africa did, which lgbt rights advocates do not hesitate to claim as a victory for same-sex marriage.
(HT: Lisa Duggan)
It's a nice idea, but i really think they have a snowball's chance in Hell (or Modesto, whichever is warmer!) in getting this measure on the ballot by collecting 694,000 valid signatures in the next 180 days.
Posted by: Mad Professah | March 15, 2009 at 10:08 PM