In spite of the fact that voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 22 in 2000, which defined marriage as an institution between a man and a women AND two failed attempts to pass legislation to define marriage as an institution between two PERSONS, Assemblyman Mark Leno is again carrying legislation that would change the definition of marriage in California. 

In 2005 Leno introduced AB 19 which failed in the Assembly by 4 votes in June of 2005.  Not to be deterred, he then introduced AB 849 which was vetoed by Governor Schwarzzenger in September of 2005.  Now Leno has introduced the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43).  The Assembly Judiciary Committee recently passed AB 43 along party lines.  Bracing themselves for the bill to clear both houses, pro family groups are urging the governor to veto AB 43. 

Last year the California Supreme Court upheld the voters' ability to affirm marriage as an institution between a man and a women.  Because Prop 22 was a statute rather than a constitutional amendment, pro family groups now realize that in order to put the matter of gender neutral marriage to rest, they must amend the California constitution.  Currently pro family groups are fundraising to put another ballot measure to the voters next year.  The groups are hoping to raise enough money to gather a million signatures which would be more than enough to qualify a ballot measure which would amend the California Constituion.