The City Council unanimously agreed to support Proposition 3 at Monday’s City Council meeting.
If voters approve the proposition next month, it will amend the state constitution to affirm the right to marry regardless of sex or race.
“Prop 3 will ensure that our state Constitution reflects the values of the 75% of Californians who support marriage equality, and it will protect LGBTQ married couples from the uncertainty of any potential changes in federal law,” said Councilmember Jason Lyon. “The City Council voted unanimously to support Prop 3 because, from a public policy perspective, marriage supports stability. Guaranteeing marriage equality will contribute to the economic and emotional well-being of LGBTQ couples and their children in Pasadena.”
The proposition would remove outdated language that currently states marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman.
In 2008, California achieved marriage equality. However, Proposition 8 defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman in the state constitution.
The Supreme Court struck down the initiative in 2013, and in 2015, marriage equality became law across the country after a Supreme Court ruling.
However, the Proposition 8 language remains in the state’s constitution.
A “yes” vote on Proposition 3 would update the constitutional language to reflect the current legal landscape regarding marriage, while a “no” vote would leave the existing language unchanged.
The proposed text of the amendment includes the following revisions:
- Current text: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
- Proposed amendment: “The right to marry is a fundamental right… in furtherance of the inalienable rights to enjoy life and liberty and to pursue and obtain safety, happiness, and privacy.”
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