California Assemblyman to introduce new gay marriage bill...

[bliss_eternal]

California assemblyman plans to introduce new gay marriage bill
By Steven Harmon

San Jose Mercury News

(MCT)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The debate over gay marriage is back after a year's hiatus, and this time supporters are hopeful the political climate has changed since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005.

San Francisco Assemblyman Mark Leno, a Democrat who is openly gay, announced he will introduce a new marriage bill on Monday, when legislators are sworn in for the upcoming session.

"We see great momentum with growing support," said Leno, heading into his third and final term in the Assembly. "We've come a long way" since California voters approved an initiative defining marriage as between a man and a woman in 2000.

Leno called on the state's political leaders to "rise up out of the shadows of inequality and be counted, on this important civil rights issue by using their powers to put an end to discrimination against all people."

taken from:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/16144170.htm

Also cross posted in California forum.