By 365gay Newswire
10.12.2009 1:35pm EDT
From a press release from Equality
California:
(Sacramento) Today Governor
Schwarzenegger signed into law two historic LGBT rights bills – recognizing the
contributions of slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk and a bill that
underscores that same-sex couples married before the passage of Proposition 8
are entitled to full recognition as married spouses in California, regardless
of whether they married in California or out of state.
“We are grateful to the Governor
for signing these critical and groundbreaking measures into law and rising
above partisan politics to improve the lives of LGBT Californians,” said EQCA
Executive Director Geoff Kors. “Californians will now learn about
Harvey’s amazing contributions to the advancement of civil rights for decades
to come,” Kors said. “He is a role model to millions, and this legislation will
help ensure his legacy lives on forever.” The Marriage Recognition and
Family Protection Act, also signed today, holds that same-sex couples married
before the passage of Proposition 8 must be recognized as married spouses in
California, regardless of whether they married in California or in another
state or nation. In addition, the new statute also confirms that same-sex couples
married outside of California after November 5, 2008, must be given all of the
rights, protections and responsibilities of married spouses under California
law, with the sole exception of the designation of “marriage.” “We are grateful that the Governor
has signed this critical bill, which provides much needed protections for
same-sex couples who have legally married out of state, or will in the future,
and who deserve to be treated like any other married couple,” Kors said. “This
bill will allow same-sex couples to get married in other states and countries
and ensure they are treated equally under the law when they return to
California. Ultimately, however, restoring the freedom to marry is the only way
to ensure that all Californians receive the dignity and respect that comes with
marriage.” “When California offered marriage
licenses to same-sex couples in 2008, spouses who were already married in
another state or country were prohibited from re-marrying in California,” said
Senator Leno. “Now those couples and their families are in limbo because their
rights and protections under law are not clear. This new law will ensure that
same-sex couples are protected by existing California law that recognizes all
marriages equally, regardless of where they are performed.” The Governor also signed
EQCA-sponsored legislation by Assemblymember John A. Pérez to help leverage
funding for same-sex domestic violence services and vetoed two bills on the
grounds that existing law and policy already provided the protections the bills
sought to put into statute: the Equal ID Act, allowing transgender people to
obtain new birth certificates and the LGBT Prisoner Safety Act, considering
sexual orientation and gender identity to safely house prisoners. “While we believe it is important
to have these protections in statute rather than just as policy or court
precedent and are disappointed by the vetoes, the Governor’s reaffirmation of
these policies will hopefully help ensure they are enforced,” Kors said.
The Harvey Milk Day bill marks the first time in the nation’s history that a
state will officially recognize and celebrate the contributions of an openly
LGBT person with an annual “day of special significance.”