Issues@Hand
AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs
April 2000 – Liberal enclaves like Hollywood and San Francisco, California, have often been a cultural leader in all things liberal and hedonistic. On March 7, however, the state’s voters served notice that traditional marriage is in – and same-sex marriage is out.
Californians voted on controversial Proposition 22, which simply said, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The ballot initiative passed overwhelmingly 62% to 37%, although the final numbers had yet to be tallied at press time.
The measure was placed on the March 7 ballot as a bulwark against the very real and growing danger that another state might someday legalize homosexual marriage. Pro-family groups have been battling desperately over the last few years as Hawaii, Alaska and Vermont seemed, at different times, on the verge of authorizing same-sex marriage.
In the event that another state did legalize homosexual marriage, Prop 22 was meant to legally proscribe California from recognizing the union of any same-sex couples returning to the state.
Attacked by Hollywood celebrities and liberal ministers, the measure was supported by conservative clergy and religious denominations, GOP party leaders, and the Hispanic community, which is traditionally very pro-family.
“As Californians, we are proud of our diversity and tolerance, but there are societal boundaries which should be preserved. Tonight we have preserved traditional marriage,” said Prop 22 spokesman Robert Glazier on the night of the vote.
Pro-family forces were also claiming victory in Vermont, where 50 of the state’s 246 towns had ballot initiatives about same-sex marriage. According to Craig Benson of Take It to the People, a Vermont pro-family group, all of the towns overwhelmingly voted to disapprove of homosexual marriage.
In December the Vermont Supreme Court had ordered the legislature to provide “the benefits and protections of marriage,” although it stopped short of legalizing same-sex marriage. The ballot measures throughout the state on March 7 were meant to send a message to the Vermont legislature.
“In state after state, people continue to overwhelmingly support traditional marriage and reject bizarre social experiments like same-sex marriage,” said AFA President Donald E. Wildmon. “Liberal activist judges, however, continue to thwart the will of the people in ways that would have horrified our Founding Fathers.” 
