L.A.-based journalist Karen Ocamb is reporting that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last night signed a bill designating May 22 as "Harvey Milk Day" in California. Schwarzenegger also reportedly signed Senate Bill 54, which requires that California recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
Said Schwarzenegger of the marriage bill:
"Following the passage of Proposition 8, there has been some
uncertainty as to how California should treat same-sex couples that
married out-of-state while same-sex marriage was legal in California.
Consistent with the California Supreme Court’s decision that upheld the
validity of those in-state marriages entered into prior to the passage
of Proposition 8, Senate Bill 54 clarifies that California must also
recognize as married couples that legally married in another state
during the same period of time in which same-sex marriage was legal in
California.
"In addition, Senate Bill 54 also requires that California recognize
the union of couples that marry in states where same-sex marriage is
legal. As required by Proposition 8, California will not recognize such
couples as “married.” However, Senate Bill 54 will provide the same
legal protections that would otherwise be available to couples that
enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships out-of-state. In
short, this measure honors the will of the People in enacting
Proposition 8 while providing important protections to those unions
legally entered into in other states."
The Victory Fund is reporting this as well…
