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California Ratifies Gay Marriage Into State Constitution

Illustration by David Thomas/The Guardsman

 

By Maxime Leonard

mapleleonard3@gmail.com

 

The California election had many propositions on the ballot, one of the most notable being Proposition 3, which changed language in the California state constitution to reaffirm gay marriage. 

This comes after the 2024 election, which saw an astounding Republican win in the Senate, House, and presidency. Amid concerns about Project 2025 potentially repealing the right to marry someone of the same sex, the adoption of same-sex marriage into the state constitution provides a bit of hope to those with anxiety around this election’s outcome. 

The proposition passed with 5.8 million votes in favor and 3.7 million against, resulting in a 61% to 39% split. The language in the California Constitution specifying that “marriage is between a man and a woman” is relatively recent, as it was added in 2008.

The major opponents to this proposition were Johnathon Keller and Rev. Tanner DiBella from the California Family Council, a religious group with a mission of “Advancing God’s design for life, family, and liberty through California’s church, capitol and culture.” 

In opposition to Proposition 3, they wrote, “ A ‘fundamental right’ to marry means it would remove protections against child marriages, incest, and polygamy.”

In a rebuttal to the opposition to Proposition 3, supporters wrote, “Although marriage equality for same-sex couples has been the law of the land in the United States for years, California’s Constitution still says that same-sex couples are not allowed to marry. Recent threats against fundamental rights have made it clear California must be proactive in protecting the freedom to marry regardless of gender or race.”

 

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