Laguna Endorses Same-Sex Marriage
By WILLIAM HAGLE
Three decades ago, a state senator proposed a ballot initiative that would have forced teachers who were homosexuals from their jobs, local resident Frank Ricchiazzi told the City Council on Tuesday. "That was a witch hunt," Ricchiazzi said. "Gay people were afraid to come to work."
Ricchiazi was one of several members of the public who delivered emotional testimony in support of gay marital rights and the City Council's stance in opposition to Prop. 8.
In taking a 5-0 vote against the November ballot initiative, which would change the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman, Laguna Beach is one of the first city's in the state to take a position. The town has a rich history of supporting gay equality. In 1992, the city was also one of the first to permit gay couples to register as domestic partners. Laguna Beach voters elected Bob Gentry, the first openly gay mayor in the nation, in 1982. He served 12 years on the City Council.
Marriage between gays wasn't even a dream back in the '70s, Ricchiazzi noted.
"Lagunans have a long tradition of fairness, inclusion and non-discrimination," said the agenda item, which the council endorsed as a symbolic gesture.
Voter approval of Prop. 8, known as the California Marriage Act, would overturn a May 15 California Supreme Court decision. The ruling to strike down previous law restricting marriage to a man and woman came in the wake of 2004 samesex weddings in San Francisco approved by then Mayor Gavin Newsom. Those marriages were quickly annulled by the courts.
Prop. 8's support stems from ProtectMarriage.com, which collected the required signatures, and a coalition that includes mainstream and non-denominational churches, the National Organization for Marriage, and presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain. In a statement, McCain said he supports "… the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."
House speaker Nancy Pelosi and presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama both voiced opposition to the initiative as does California Gov. Schwarzneggar, who previously vetoed legislative bills approving same-sex marriage but said that he will respect the court's decision and uphold its ruling.
This week, 200 people protested outside a San Diego hotel owned by Doug Manchester, a financial supporter of Prop. 8, an effort organized by local resident and gay rights activist Fred Karger. Karger, who established Californians Against Hate to oppose Prop. 8, also led an unsuccessful effort to halt the closure of Laguna Beach's Boom Boom Room gay bar last year.
Though two council members initiated the agenda item, there was no doubt that all five supported the advisory vote.
