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Summarized by Kent Larsen
California Governor Announces Opposition to LDS-Backed Initiative
Los Angeles Times 29Jan00 N1
By Carl Ingram: Times Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- California Gov. Gray Davis announced Friday
that he is opposed to the controversial Knight Initiative, (Proposition
22) which would bar California from recognizing same-sex marriages.
Governor Gray's announcement wasn't a surprise, but was anxiously
awaited by both sides of the debate over the initiative.
The announcement came as part of the Governor's statement on 20
different initiatives on the upcoming March 7th ballot. Supporters of
the Knight Initiative immediately accused the Governor of trying to be
on both sides of the issue, while opponents expressed delight with the
Governor's position, hoping that it would help them reach moderate
voters in California. The Governor is considered a moderate.
While Davis said that he has long opposed same-sex marriage, he also
said he opposes "wedge issue politics" that make "Scapegoats of certain
groups . . ." He feels Proposition 22 is in that category. "The
placement of this kind of emotionally charged issue on the ballot serves
mainly to stir up prejudices and hostility, sometimes with tragic
consequences," said the Governor. He also called the measure an
"unnecessary distraction," since California law already defines marriage
as between a man and a woman.
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