Central Valley City Shifts On Marriage Equality

After leading the charge in support of Prop 8, Porterville's City Council voted 3-2 to reject a resolution in opposition to SB 54, Equality California’s out-of-state marriages bill, authored by Sen. Mark Leno.

Porterville, California, a city of approximately 50,000 located deep in the heart of the rural Central Valley, has made itself into the symbol of the anti-same sex marriage crusades, but now the tides may be starting to turn.

During the 2008 campaign for Prop 8, Porterville’s City Council voted unanimously 5-0 in a resolution to urge its citizens to vote to remove existing civil rights from some Californians. It was the only Council in all of California to vote in favor of supporting Prop 8. Porterville citizens responded to the Council’s call, voting over 75% in favor of the measure.

Advocates for civil rights have been active and present at every public meeting since the California Supreme Court ruled Prop 8 as a valid amendment, and at most meetings prior to that dating back to September 2008.

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