California Anulls over 4000 Gay Marriages

Same Sex Marriage Forum

Calif. court annuls gay marriages

DAVIS, Calif. -- The marriage licenses issued to 4,037 same-sex couples at San Francisco's city hall no longer hold legal weight.

The California State Supreme Court announced in a report on Aug. 12 that the city office had no authority to issue same-sex marriage licenses in the first place.

Posted on the state's Web site, the court's report states, "We agree with petitioners that local officials in San Francisco exceeded their authority by taking official action in violation of applicable statutory provisions."

"All affected same-sex couples that the same-sex marriages authorized by the officials are void and of no legal effect," the report stated.

Shelly Bailes and Ellen Pontac, Davis residents and the 45th couple to be married, were there on the first day that licenses were issued.

On Friday, the pair attended a rally with other same-sex couples at the Yolo County recorder"s office. Bailes and Pontac coordinated the event as co-chairs of Marriage Equality California, Yolo Chapter. MECA is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to win marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The protesting couples offered their marriage licenses to the county recorder who invalidated the licenses with the official seal, Bailes said. She explained that the action was a statement to show that they had once been given an official marriage license and were really married for a period of time.

"It's not just a piece of paper," she said.

Bailes and Pontac said that all the couples they had spoken to would not consider taking back the $62 offered for their voided licenses, but will allow the city of San Francisco to use it to for "the fight" for same-sex marriages.

San Francisco stopped issuing licenses to same-sex couples when civil suits were brought by groups against the city's actions, according to California Supreme Court report.

According to a news release from Campaign for California Families a state group opposed to same-sex marriages -- the mayor had violated the California Family Code 300, which defines marriage as "a contract between man and woman."

CCF Executive Director Randy Thomasson said that "marriage is a beautiful and sacred relationship that is exclusively for a man and a woman." The court had no choice but to follow the "clear reading of the law," he said.

Mayor Newsom said he would uphold the Supreme Court's decision, but he added in a release on Aug. 12 that in allowing the marriages he believed he was following California's Constitution.

-- The California Aggie

That is disgusting. I would be organising the biggest protest America has ever seen!!! Those people were told their marriages were legal, they've probably made all sorts of changes in their lives now that they thought they were considered to be legally marrried.

Ouch..

Why does that make you happy? What reason have you to be personally, positively affected by this negative impact on these people's lives? I don't agree with homosexuality one bit, and I'm quite clear on that point in many discussions here on the forum, but I believe whole-heartedly in a "live and let live" policy that says what makes someone happy and doesn't negatively impact others is permissable by me. Being offended because of a difference in beliefs doesn't count as negative impact - it just doesn't.

Some people find happiness, Sean, in seeing others with nothing. But that's okay... because, it will happen, eventually, and people like sowhatsthetruth will just have to live with it, or die an angry, bitter person.

They broke the law and the ... law won.

They broke the law and the ...law won.

So Sodomy is no longer illegal. Ok.
Don't ask don't tell. Ok. Take that shiit home, cuz the majority of Americans don't want to know about it.

Pushing the marriage thing on America...ain't gonna work.
Witness the votes so far in Missouri and (liberal) California. And in 1992 in Colorado.

I don't condone their actions...I don't want to stop them from engaging in homosexual sex. I just don't believe it should be sanctioned by the states...because the majority of people in these states don't want homosexual marriage forced in to society.

So........

I am jumping for joy!!!!!!! How can I be in bitterness and anger?

Again...


I am a former lesbian, KJ. The games and drama in that lifestyle are enough to make you wanna...



Give it a few years (you're still young), you'll discover exactly what I am talking about.

.. and therefore you believe it is okay for the law to determine what people should and should not believe.

I don't have a problem with the feds catching up with the state and putting the state in it's place. I have a problem with the feds not recognizing that there's something wrong when they can say "we don't like that and we don't think most people will like that and so it's hereby illegal." It's discrimination, hands down.

Give them an inch and they will take a mile. By endorsing this, you condone the government's self-assigned power of telling people how they should live and that only those who abide by what they decide is according to their model will receive their blessings and the benefits that go along with it.

It's wrong. This is the effect of who I like to call conservative religious whacks.

If you could pull your head out of your Bible for one moment you'd see it's true.

Hellooo

I am not talking about beliefs.

Remember I said "I don't want to stop them from engaging in homosexual sex."

I am talking about state sanctioned homosexual marriage.
Polygamy isn' t legal either.
Incest isn't legal either.
Homosexual marriages are not legal.

And none of the above should be legalized. Like I said, what they (homosexuals) do in the privacy of their own home...is their own business.

sowhatsthetruth... I'm a 34 year old woman, who's a lesbian, and been in the same relationship for over five years... and I'm VERY committed to my partner. I don't know what games and drama that you were involved in... but, maybe it had something to do with the people you chose to associate with.

Hmmmm... what would be great if, all gays and lesbians could stop paying taxes.
You see... I pay the same damn taxes that you do. I don't care WHO you marry.
Straight couples being married is no different than gay marriages.
Marriage isn't about who you screw... if it were, there were be MANY illegal marriages, multiple marriages for one person, underage, etc...
Marriage is about making a committment to ONE person, and spending your life with them.

Beliefs and opinions? Yeah so what! That is what this forum is all about if you want to get down to brass tacks.

My opinion on this subject may not please the liberals or the homosexuals.
And you know what? I don't care.

Going by the votes in Calif, Colo (92), and Missouri, I am speaking for a great deal of the population. I'd like to see every state vote on this subject...and you'll find there are ALOT of us out there. Call us narrow minded, bash us as Christians all you want....but America ain't buying into homosexual marriage plain and simple.

As far as:
And at the same time your own beliefs have limits. What's the difference between what they (homosexuals) do in their own home and what they (child molesters) do in their own home? At some point in your belief system the sanctity of what goes on in someone's home breaks down and in come marching your beliefs.

For this reason, in some fashion or other beliefs MUST come into play in law. But my belief is that such belief-based laws should be limited to those circumstances which cause harm to others such as in the case of child molestaiton. Outside of laws catering to harmful acts, belief-based laws should be applied to all or none - not some - indiscriminantly."


This arguement has NOTHING to do with this subject.

Illegal sexual acts like pedophilia have nothing to do with this subject. We're talking about consenting adults.

In the case of:
Polygamy: This would be two or more consenting adults. Two of which being a man and a woman.
Now, a man can be married and have as many sexual partners as he wants. This is legal. And like I said, if that's what they choose I may not condone it, but legally there is nothing to stop this.
But, again, legally they cannot marry.

Incest: This would be two consenting adults. A brother and a sister. An aunt and a nephew (of age). 1st cousins...capiche?
Now, there are no laws against a brother and a sister having sex, BUT, again, they cannot marry.

Homosexuality....I am sure you can figure this one out. Two consenting adults, having sex...no laws any longer against this. But, in California (since this is the topic ) they cannot marry.

Like I said, the behavior is legal. The marriage is illegal.

Remember, I am a stickler for crime. If it's illegal. It's illegal. If you want the laws changed, then go about it through constitutional means. Don't just break the law and expect everyone to accept it.

Wow, Sean... very well stated.

Again, your arguement is moot Sean.
There are laws against pedophilia. There are no laws against homosexual acts.
Pedophilia is a sexual preference. Homosexuality is a sexual preference.
One is illegal the other isn't.

We're talking about marriage here. Pedophiles don't marry their victims.
Homosexuals are not victims, they choose to engage in this behavior.
And in California, they cannot marry.

As far as civil disobediance goes....
If you have ever engaged in it, or ever studied it....you would know that while engaging in civil disobedience you must be prepared to face any legal action against you. These people don't whine about the consequences and say ...look my civil rights have been violated...they focus on the issue they are fighting against.

Homosexual rights have no business being compared to Black rights. People are born black. Regardless of the rhetoric and propaganda...homosexuality is a choice. Always has been and always will be.

I am living proof that homosexuality is a choice. I lived it wholeheardedly for 16 years. I changed and haven't been down that road for 11 years. I KNOW it's a choice. And I don't buy into the civil rights aspect of homosexual marriage.

Laws exist for a reason. If you find those laws oppressive, then fight it through legal means. Because it's obvious...if breaking the law didn't change anything in California, it sure nuff isn't gonna change it in the rest of the country either.

California has the largest percentage of homosexuals in the USA. And earlier this month, the people of Calif voted to have marriage as defined by a man and a woman....something like 65 to 35%.

The large majority of Americans are against homosexual marriage.
All the Queer Eye, Queer Folk, and Will and Grace isn't gonna change it.

you said : "Anyhow: law this, illegal that, it's apparent that you personally oppose same-sex unions though you haven't said it once."

Dont's assume ever that you know what I believe. This post is about state sanctioned marriage. Homosexual unions, domestic partnerships already exist.
You can marry at the local MCC church, medicine man, whatever, but it's NOT licensed by the state. Every company I have worked for in my career has had domestic partnership benefits.

Personally, I don't believe that government has any business interfering in heterosexual marriages either. If a man and woman want to marry they should be able to go their church and marry. It's between them and God.

But as it is set up. Homosexuals have never been able to marry. It's not a civil rights issue.

My state, Colorado saw it coming and passed Amendment 2 which barred homosexuals from having "special" rights. It wasn't against homosexual civil rights, it was about special rights. Like marriage.

Judge Bayless, an arrogant pompous idiotic judge overturned the vote and will of the people by saying it went against their civil rights. Poppycock.
I worked for the state court under him, I know what a cretin he is.

Of course, in 1992, I was still living la vida loca as a lesbian activist.
It was then I began being disgusted with the homosexual population.
You've obviously not been involved in homosexual activism....it's ruthless and hate-filled toward anyone who believes homosexuality is a sin. Kind of puts a damper on your parade when there are people who believe what you feel is beautiful and wonderful and the majority of the population thinks you're sick and disgusting. So....they resort to desperate and ruthless measures to get their agenda pushed forward.

You said:
I am certain that they will fight the fight on every possible battle front, including legal means."

You are way behind the times, Sean, they've been using legal means for a long, long time.
This effort in San Francisco shows desperation. They know they will never win if put before the American people....and legislation....backing homosexual marriage will be a long time coming....IF ever.

They are not being mistreated just because the people and the states don't license homosexual marriages.

Give me a break...if people lose their jobs for being gay....yeah that is wrong.
When I ride the bus, I don't see a sign that says "homos to the back."
Water fountains and places of business do not say "no homos here."
When I started going to church....I wasn't belittled or chastised...on the contrary...I was accepted with open arms...AND I was told the truth about my actions. And I am way happier for it!!!!!!!

Sean:I'm forced to conclude, yet again, that my original conclusion is correct and that you're just peeved that I pegged you on the first try. Or something like that. Don't be peeved, I'm just sharp that way. heh!

All right I'll say it. I don't give a hoot if they decide to have a civil union.....my point was....they are occurring now anyhow!!!! See, you shouldn't have assumed...because you were wrong!!! And yes, I will say you ARE sharp in many areas....maybe not in this instance, ok?

Sean: The thing of it is, the govt. doesn't interfere with hetero marriages. Quite the contrary, such couples are awarded benefits such as tax breaks which is what the opposition is so bent out of shape over. If it's not a civil rights issue, then just what sort of issue classification is it? What classification of issues does "hetero marriage perks" fall under? Whatever it is, that's where the injustice lies, no matter what you label it.

The thing of it is...yes they have and they continue to do so.
Why homosexuals would want the state involved in their relationships is beyond me...except they want to be considered like anyone else.

If my boyfriend and I went to my pastor and wanted to get married...without going to the county seat to get a marriage license, the pastor cannot marry me.

What I am saying is that government has no right getting involved with religion or personal relationships.
Everyone complains about church and state...and you know what? As an informed Christian I don't like 5013C status, and I despise the faith based initiatives.

The homosexuals cry they want the government out of their bedroom. And I agree with them there.

I am saying get the government out of my church. We are all wanting the same things.

That's why I am so concerned why anyone who was truly informed would want the government to be involved in their relationship...in any way.
So, you say it's for financial and other reasons....in my viewpoint those reasons aren't worth the risk.

Sean:Maybe all those adjectives you use to describe him are accurate, I wouldn't know, but it would seem that his vision is unclouded in at least one way. I think he did the right thing.

His decision was purely political. He didn't care either way. This decision put him on the map...and that's all he was concerned about.

Sean: I was thinking about this a bit today and I realized that for what a crime you make this out to be, nobody, but nobody, will pay one fine or penalty or serve time or have to defend themselves over this matter. Simply the marriage licenses will be anulled. The reason is that there is no single person to point the finger at here and they're not going to put the whole lot in jail for wanting to be married and have the benefits that go along with it. Given that there is no one person to point at I have to wonder, just who do you view as showing desperation? The city? The people whose marriages are being anulled?

The criminal in this instance is the mayor of San Francisco. He knew the law and blatantly went against it. When Gov. Terminator told him to stop, he still continued. It's the peons who try to change laws and government without contacting the ones in authority (in this case the state) who are guilty.

He didn't do this in a vacuum. The homosexual militants prompted this.

The homosexual militants are desperate. I was watching on C-Span last night when a group of homosexual activists were moaning and complaining about Bush. And they were trying to invoke the good ol days of Clinton when they were making what they thought headway. Under Bush, they feel attacked...and are resorting to maneuvers that are only destroying their cause.

The more they push America to accept their ways....the more they are causing right-wingers and others to push back. Pushing back looks like an attack, but it's not. The majority of Americans find this agenda repulsive. We say, "live your life, but don't start getting on our turf." (marriage)

Sean:Of course not everyone can follow your path - is this what you hope for?

If you are talking about Christianity here...actually, yes, anyone can follow this path. And it's a choice only the individual can make. As far as would I like everyone to make that choice. Sean, I am a Christian. What do you think?

I would jump into this conversation, but I've already exhausted myself fighting people in the Federal Marriage Amendment thread.