Marriage Timeline

Marriage is a time-tested legal and social structure that defines the relationship between two adults.

In 1977, the California legislature made a special law to strip the freedom to marry from same-sex couples by changing the words “two persons” to “man and woman” in what would become our current Family Code. The law was signed by then-Governor now-Attorney General Jerry Brown.

In 2000, California voters passed Proposition 22 blocking same-sex marriages performed elsewhere from being recognized by California.

In 2005, the California legislature recognized that it is wrong to tell some people their relationships are less worthy than others, and passed the nation’s first Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill.

In 2007, the California legislature crafted a law - AB 43 - that would allow lesbian and gay couples to realize their full potential within our economy and society, yet avoid the Governor’s concerns with a voter-initiated law called Proposition 22 that blocks foreign marriages.

Arnold vetoed this bill as well.

On March 8, 2008, the California State Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that will determine if Proposition 22 actually prevents same-sex marriages in California. Their judgment is due within 90 days.

In the meantime, signatures are being gathered to place a Constitutional Amendment on the November ballot. If this amendment passes, same-sex couples will be constitutionally blocked from marriage until a pro-marriage amendment is passed.