A new clash over a State Bill dealing with same sex marriage is emerging and two of the main opponents are San Francisco Democratic Senator Mark Leno and Bakersfield’s Republican Senator Roy Ashburn, two openly gay California legislators. Senate Bill 906, commonly called the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act was introduced back in January by Senator Leno with the support of Equality California, the state’s largest gay rights advocate. The California Assembly passed the bill early August 46-25 followed by a 22-11 vote in favor of the bill by the State Senate.
The bill details, perhaps to some, a premature safe guard to religious institutions allowing them freedom to choose who they will and will not sanctify in marriage. The bill would protect clergy who decline to perform marriage ceremonies that conflict with their religious beliefs. In the language of bill, religious institutions would also be protected from losing their tax exempt status for any refusals.
In a state whose position on the legalization of same sex marriage hangs in the balance at the 9th Circuit court of Appeals, some may find SB 906 as a prediction of the outcome of the upcoming trial. If marriage of same sex couples becomes legal, California’s legislature has given religious institutions the power to practice their faith without the state imposing new restrictions when it comes to performing same sex weddings.
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