Karina Rodriguez
Staff Writer
A measure on the Nov. 5 state ballot would enshrine marriage equality in the state constitution.
Proposition 3 is designed to protect same-sex marriage in California, regardless of what happens at the federal level.
While the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015, that no state may prohibit same sex marriage, the current Court, with its conservative supermajority, has indicated it may revisit the 2015 ruling.
The current ballot measure was authored by Assemblymember Evan Low, D-Cupertino, and Senator Scott Weiner, D-San Francisco, and is supported by Governor Gavin Newsom.
According to the Proposition 3 text, “Proposition 3 would update our state constitution to align with existing law that allows marriage for same-sex couples, reflecting current court decisions and our values as Californians.”
The Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, American Civil Liberties Union of Northern Californian and Trans Latina Coalition are among the groups that support Proposition 3.
Anti-marriage equality groups opposing the ballot measure include the California Family Council, Freedom in Action, and Real Action.
Richard Gelm, professor of political science, said protecting marriage equality is about the right to privacy.
“We (should) have the right to live our lives and privately make decisions without interference by the government,” Gelm said.
Professor of Political Science Jason Neidleman sees Proposition 3 as a preventative measure should the Supreme Court overturn the right, ignoring precedent as it did two years ago when it overturned all women’s right to abortion.
Obergefell v. Hodges was the 2015 Supreme Court case that made marriage equality the law of the land. The state measure is in response to the current Supreme Court, which despite tradition does not consider previous decisions as settled law.
“If Obergefell gets overturned by the Supreme Court, which again Clarence Thomas suggests, ‘we should look at some of these cases including gay marriage’ then California needs to be in position to protect all the same-sex marriages within this state,” Neidleman said. “Which in order to do that you have to pass this proposition. So it’s a good idea, it’s like a preventative measure.”
Amanda Bennett, co-pastor of the La Verne Church of the Brethren, believes that opposition to Proposition 3 comes from a place of fear.
“My perception would be that there’s like a fear and control involved for wanting to oppose it,” Bennett said.
Lotus Lancelot, member of the ULV LGBTQ+ Coalition and studio art major, believes that Proposition 3 will heighten California’s LGBTQ+ sanctuary status.
“When Roe v. Wade got overturned, California’s governor’s response was to heighten its abortion access so people started to come to California for that … resource,” Lancelot said. “So I believe the same thing can happen (with Proposition 3),” Lancelot said.
Karina Rodriguez can be reached at karina.rodriguez3@laverne.edu.
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
