Governor Schwarzenegger Finally Does Right By Gay California

This just in - according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, speaking before the Log Cabin Republicans, promised to fight the initiative to add a gay marriage ban to the California Constitution if it makes the November ballot.  Schwarzenegger said "I will always be there to fight against that."  He called the amendment "a waste of time."

I've called the Governator out before for his opposition to the gay marriage bill passed twice now by the California Legislature - especially the first time, when we attended the final house debates.  The veto after such an emotional rollar coaster ride was simply heartbreaking.

But his support now comes at a critical juncture - as amendment supporters scramble to complete their signature drive in time for the November ballot.  The popular Governor's opposition could dampen these efforts, and make it more difficult for these folks to reach their goals.

And even if they manage to collect the required 700,000 or so valid signatures, there's reason to hope - more so now with the Governor's support.  These folks are on the wrong side of history - the winds are a changin', and gay marriage is coming down the tracks like a locomotive, to mix a few metaphors.

Arnold Schwarzenegger managed to win a second term as a Republican in a state with a majority of Democrats, and even in these doldrum days for the Republican Party, he remains popular.  He's done so by riding the center, veering away from the artificial divisions favored by the GOP, including gay marriage and abortion.

Randy Thomasson, one of the initiators of the anti-gay marriage amendments, shows his "Christian values" by working hard to both ban gay marriage and also to strip gay and lesbian couples of existing hospital visitation rights, community property, and child support, accused the Governor of "pandering to this group."

He should know.  Republicans have left a blasted legacy in this country over the last eight years by pandering to the lowest common denominator, spewing lies and hatred, and dividing us down to our smallest component group.

Let me say this clearly.  Mr. Thomasson and his ilk are ignorant, despicable, politically driven hacks who find satisfaction in playing out their own blatant homophobia in the public square.  And just like the ignorant racists who terrorized African Americans in this country for two hundred years, their time in the spotlight is almost over.  Oh, I'm not so blinded by optimism to believe that they will just shut up and go away - after all, while blatant racism is largely a thing of the past in this country, a more subtle racism has continued to exist and even thrive in parts of the country.  But it no longer has the official sanction of State and Federal governments, and is no longer acceptable in the public sphere.

And with the support of the Governor, who also said he'd accept a court ruling in favor of gay marriage, the headwinds just got a little stiffer against these opportunistic, mean-spirited, Christians-in-name-only.

So we take this unexpected gift offered by the Governor, and we offer him kudos - by speaking out against these homophobic amendments, he's done something remarkable.

The prospects for equal marriage in the Golden State just got a little brighter.

--Scott