Opponents of marriage rights for same-sex couples in California began a petition drive Thursday to put a broad constitutional ban against gay marriage on next year’s ballot.
In addition to denying marriage licenses, the proposed amendment would take away many marriage-like privileges currently extended to same-sex couples registered as domestic partners. In addition, state and local governments would no longer be allowed to extend health benefits to domestic partners of gay or lesbian workers.
“The language of the proposed amendment is breath-taking in its hostility and sweep,” said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “The amendment is the most extreme and mean-spirited of any previously submitted anywhere else in the nation.”
