2010 Absolutists Select Repeal Prop 8 Language

The cadre of activists who are determined to force the people California to vote on restoring marriage equality ("whether they like it or not!") have selected which of the five approved ballot measures they will circulate in order to collect approximately one million signatures in 150 days. It's 09-0042, the fifth one.

Here is the full text:

This amendment would amend an existing section of the California
Constitution. Existing language proposed to be deleted is printed in
strikeout type. Language proposed to be added is printed in underlined
type.

Section 1. To protect religious freedom, no court shall interpret
this measure to require any priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, or other
person authorized to perform marriages by any religious denomination,
church, or other non-profit religious institution to perform any
marriage in violation of his or her religious beliefs. The refusal to
perform a marriage under this provision shall not be the basis for
lawsuit or liability, and shall not affect the tax-exempt status of
any religious denomination, church or other religious institution.

Section 2. To provide for fairness in the government’s issuance of
marriage licenses, Section 7.5 of Article I of the California
Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 7.5. Only
marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in
California. Marriage is between only two persons and shall not be
restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender,
sexual orientation, or religion.

I will not be signing the petition, and I urge you not to sign it either! Although I am a strong supporter of marriage equality, this measure is very unlikely to be successful, and when it fails it will have a detrimental effect on more organized and well-thought out strategies to win back marriage equality in such a way that the win is permanent.