If it had been up to Long Beach voters back in November 2008, Proposition 8 would just be a memory. Now, the Long Beach City Council is joining its constituents in opposing the same-sex marriage ban.
Next Tuesday, the council will vote on creating a resolution "affirming the support of the City of Long Beach for full marriage equality, and for the decision of the Governor and Attorney General not to further defend Proposition 8 in court," the meeting agenda says.
Surprisingly, among the four council members who are sponsoring the resolution is new 9th District Councilman Steve Neal. The councilman took some heat from gay-rights groups before he was elected in April for comments he had made to the Long Beach Business Journal about gay marriage.
"I believe marriage is an institution instituted by God," Neal, who is a pastor and a Democrat, told the publication. "And that being said, I don't think that man has the ability or the right to change that."
Neal, who represents North Long Beach, didn't return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment about the about-face on the issue. The other council members sponsoring the resolution are Robert Garcia, Patrick O'Donnell and James Johnson.
Fifty-two percent of California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008, five months after the state Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages, while in Long Beach 52 percent of voters opposed the measure.
Since then, Proposition 8 has faced legal challenges, and Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck it down last month as a violation of gay Californians' civil rights. Attorney General Jerry Brown has refused to defend Proposition 8 because he thinks it is unconstitutional, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is remaining neutral on the issue.
A conservative group took legal measures to force the state to defend the same-sex ban, but California's 3rd District Court of Appeal refused to do so in early September. Now, Proposition 8 backers have taken their case to federal court and are arguing that they have the right to appeal the measure if the state won't.
Next Tuesday, the council will vote on creating a resolution "affirming the support of the City of Long Beach for full marriage equality, and for the decision of the Governor and Attorney General not to further defend Proposition 8 in court," the meeting agenda says.
Surprisingly, among the four council members who are sponsoring the resolution is new 9th District Councilman Steve Neal. The councilman took some heat from gay-rights groups before he was elected in April for comments he had made to the Long Beach Business Journal about gay marriage.
"I believe marriage is an institution instituted by God," Neal, who is a pastor and a Democrat, told the publication. "And that being said, I don't think that man has the ability or the right to change that."
Neal, who represents North Long Beach, didn't return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment about the about-face on the issue. The other council members sponsoring the resolution are Robert Garcia, Patrick O'Donnell and James Johnson.
Fifty-two percent of California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008, five months after the state Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages, while in Long Beach 52 percent of voters opposed the measure.
Since then, Proposition 8 has faced legal challenges, and Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker struck it down last month as a violation of gay Californians' civil rights. Attorney General Jerry Brown has refused to defend Proposition 8 because he thinks it is unconstitutional, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is remaining neutral on the issue.
A conservative group took legal measures to force the state to defend the same-sex ban, but California's 3rd District Court of Appeal refused to do so in early September. Now, Proposition 8 backers have taken their case to federal court and are arguing that they have the right to appeal the measure if the state won't.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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