On July 13, the California Senate unanimously passed a proposed state constitutional amendment to secure marriage equality, per an Equality California press release.
Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 (ACA 5), authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), would amend the California Constitution to protect the fundamental freedom to marry and remove the unconstitutional and discriminatory language from Proposition 8. Doing so would help buttress against any future attempts to restrict marriage rights for same-sex or interracial couples.
"Today, with bipartisan support, we are one step closer to ensuring marriage equality as a fundamental right in California. ACA 5 will give voters the opportunity to remove a black stain from the California constitution," said Low. "California is ready for love, and these protections will protect against any future attempts to restrict marriage rights for same-sex and interracial couples."
"Next fall, Californians will reject the assault on LGBTQ rights that bigoted, ideological Justices have launched from the Supreme Court," said Wiener. "The bipartisan support for this amendment shows once again that inclusion remains a core value across ideological lines in our state. I look forward to working with this incredible coalition to advance this critical protection."
ACA 5 is set to appear on the November 2024 ballot and requires majority approval from California voters to amend the constitution. A broad coalition of civil rights organizations and labor groups, including Equality California, plans a statewide campaign to secure the amendment's passage.
Andrew Davis