Schwarzenegger Says Proposition 8 "Is A Waste Of Time"

Transcript from the June 29, 2008 edition of NBC's Meet the Press:

TOM BROKAW: You have a lot of propositions on the ballot again this fall. One of them would mean a constitutional ban on gay marriages. Do you support that?

GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think the Supreme Court made a decision there. It was apparently unconstitutional to stop anyone from getting married. It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later on the Supreme Court of the United States followed, I think 10 or 12 years later. So I think it is, it's good that California lead -- is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward. There are so many other more important issues that we have to address in California. So I think to spend any time on this initiative I think is a waste of time.

Governor Schwarzenegger Opposes Marriage Ban

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would oppose the ballot measure circulating across the state that would ban marriage for same-sex couples. At the Log Cabin Republicans National Convention in San Diego, the governor said he would always be there to fight against such an amendment.

Answering a question from Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Sammon about the constitutional amendment, the governor said:

Well, first of all, I think that it would never happen in California because I think that California people are much further along with that issue. And, number two, I will always be there to fight against that. I think we need a constitutional amendment so that foreign-born citizens can run for president, but not (one) about gay marriage. That's a total waste of time.

Read more from the Log Cabin Republicans.

Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes AB 43 Marriage Equality Bill

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43).

The Governor's statement:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 43 without my signature.

As I stated in vetoing similar legislation in 2005, I am proud California is a leader in recognizing and respecting domestic
partnerships. I believe that all Californians are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their sexual orientation. I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights.

In 2000, the voters approved Proposition 22, a challenge to which is currently pending before the California Supreme Court. I
maintain my position that the appropriate resolution to this issue is to allow the Court to rule on Proposition 22. The people of
California should then determine what, if any, statutory changes are needed in response to the Court’s ruling.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Same-sex couples in California continues to be denied the dignity, benefits and responsibilities of marriage with the Governor's veto that would have given all committed couples the option to marry.

Schwarzenegger Appoints Log Cabin Member

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Don Norte of Hollywood to the California Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The committee is charged with developing a comprehensive strategy to assist disabled youth and adults to enter the workforce by focusing on the needs and interests of the worker, the employer, and the community.

Norte follows the appointment last week of Leonard Olds, a founder of Log Cabin, to the California Council for the Humanities.