Schwarzenegger says gay marriages should resume in California; Obama still opposes them

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday urged that same-sex marriages be allowed to resume in California, his strongest support yet of gay marriage.

But President Obama has remained silent on the question -- and remains opposed to gay marriage.

"The president does oppose same-sex marriage, but he supports equality for gay and lesbian couples, and benefits and other issues, and that has been effectuated in federal agencies under his control," David Axelrod, a top Obama advisor, told NBC News on Friday.

Axelrod said Obama's position remains the same despite a federal judge's ruling that California's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker on Wednesday overturned Proposition 8's ban on gay marriage. He put his decision on hold until he rules on whether same-sex marriages should be permitted pending appeals.

Obama opposed Prop. 8, Axelrod said, because it was "mean-spirited."

The governor released a statement after the ruling that said: "For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all Californians to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity."

In court papers filed Friday, he added: "Government officials can resume issuing such licenses without administrative delay or difficulty," Schwarzenegger's office said in written arguments to the court.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below.

-- Shelby Grad

Photo: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[DALE]

OBAMA AS USUAL IS TOO SLOW TO TAKE THE LEAD WHEN HE SHOULD I WISH HE WOULD GET MORE WITH THE PROGRAM! GOOD FOR YOU GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER!

[Steve]

I voted for Governor Schwarzenegger in 2006, in part because he then had the courage to veto pro-gay marriage legislation. I now regret doing so. He has totally backslid on any courage he once has and has become a political prostitute.

[Burbank]

Eh, what's wrong Barry? Already have the gay vote in your hip pocket and feel no need to alienate your more religious Lefty supporters?
Must be nice to take so many votes for granted...
We'll see in November.

[Martin Joaquin]

I think our dear President Obama needs to remember that when his parents were married and when he was born that their marriage, just like todays gay marriage, was not legal in many states and was often against the law in some states with the spouses being sent to prison. It was not till the Loving versus Virginia case of 1967 that their marriage was legally recognized. Many people today are against interracial marriage still with some statistics showing up to 30% or higher, depending on the district, being against it still. The GLBTQ people of the USA deserve the same full equal rights as everyone else. Separate is never equal. He ought to know that, he just needs to ask his parents.

[charles849]

Wait Obama says he is about change and he's against gay marriage but he wants the illegals to stay . Sounds like grounds for impeachment. well this is one vote he wont get

[McCrazy]

Let them marry!!!

[Gurg]

Enough Obama. If he can't lead, then get out of the way. His consensus style of leadership has got us half-way to civilized healthcare and a partial solution for the financial crisis, but there is no half-way position on gay marriage and if he can take a strong moral position supporting gay marriage, he is not the kind of leader we need to get us through the moral, economic and ecological disasters created by Bush and his ilk.

[VJ]

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorah for that very sin, then look out! California, along with those that agree with this will be next because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will not be mocked and whether you believe it or not, in the end, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord! AMEN!

[Lee]

The president and other democrats better get behind gay marriage soon. Instead of worrying about the votes he will never get, he needs to worrying about the votes he might get. He has taken the gay vote for granted way too long.

[innercity]

Perhaps Obama says he is opposed to gay marriages so that the Right Wing will be 100% in favor of them, as they are consistently contrary to him in all matters.

[Jon]

I'm really proud of California government today. Usually I disagree with a lot that Schwarzenegger has to say, but I can now see that I respect him as a good person despite any political affiliations. I'm glad this issue is becoming less partisan, which will help force people to see that equality is not a "liberal thing".

I'm also getting fed up with Obama. I'm not really seeing my "HOPE", not sure anybody is. Sort of feel cheated.

[Gary Larand Hammontree]

How can President Obama possibly see this as the correct way to handle a situation that affects as many AMERICANS as it does.? Especially from a man whose entire race has held a less than human position in the world for over 5oo years. For an entire race of people to have been relegated to a position of servitude, slavery and virtual non-existence, treated as chattel, beaten and denied the most basic of liberties, this is an impossible circumstance and a very negative image to project. To deny any group of people, in the US the freedom to enjoy one of the most basic of human needs, that is, to form a loving, stable environment in which to live, is untenable. I am a straight, Caucasian male, that having had gay friends, neighbors, and classmates, for most of my life, am appalled to see that this type of discrimination could be in existence today. One is filled with an enormous amazement, disgust and incredulity. Quite simply, NO person or group of AMERICAN citizens are to be SEGREGATED, separated from, the most basic of human needs in this, the most powerful, most just place on earth. Please explain that to me. Is it STILL ok to exclude any person, let alone a huge number of American citizens existing with out the same rights as every one else in America? And THEY didn't even have to climb under, climb over, or sneak into this country. Perhaps that is exactly the difference. If a million gays, crossed a border to seek the rights that EVERYONE in the United States enjoys, they would probably be hunted down and killed. Can anyone explain that to me? What? Why the silence? Fair is fair, so EVERYONE put away your stupid, illogical, prejudice against a body of our population that CONTRIBUTES, to their/our world, rather than taking away from, and establishes an unending ILLEGAL river of immigrants flowing into our country.

[Mario]

Obama has no problem giving rights to illegal aliens but is willing to deny give equal rights to his own citizens. Gay people wake up, this president does not support us. I did not see him require Eric Holder to sue California over Prop 8. Our community went it alone because of two brave couples.

[Daniel]

How can President Obama support equality for gay and lesbian couples without supporting marriage equality? Neither separate but equal nor apartheid ever worked for anyone involved. The LGBT community supported President Obama for his promises of equality. He has regrettably proved to be a charming and smooth charlatan.

[Rosetta Smith]

Sin has consequences. Homosexuality is a lifestyle, not a race. God made woman for man. Marriage should be between a man and a woman to produce their own kind. Can 2 same sexes produce a child? Please help protect our families and our upcoming generations. Brown will not get my vote. Our kids will come up not knowing right from wrong, if they aren't taught right.

[Jessica]

Equal but not equally recognized. Nice Obama. People argue that government recognition of marriage is about encouraging family units that best raise children-if marriage were only about forming units to raise children then shouldn't infertile couples who don't intend to adopt, couples who don't want children, and older couples past child bearing age be prevented from marrying? It's not about children or social stability at all, it's about peoples private religious beliefs, which they entitled to hold of course, but those beliefs should not be law of the land in a country with people of many different beliefs. Why not take government out of the marriage buisness all together? Everyone is entitled to a civil union-a government recognized contract between consenting adults. If people want to call what they have a marriage and have a religious marriage ceremony then that can be their own private decision. This won't stop me from voting for Obama again and I think he has done good things so far, but it does make me incredibly frustrated with him.

[kutt1612]

Looks like Obama's religious believes are not letting him to say "Yes" to gay marriage.

What change was he talking about then? He didn't bring any change to economy, jobs, health, international issues, gay marriage?? Then what change was he talking about?

I guess the only change he talked about was, about him as President lol

[Greg Maragos]

Obama's opposition is purely strategic, not ideological. He disapproves of gay marriage with a wink to the left, and anybody on the left who is intellectually honest would admit as such.

[Pete]

The one and only issue of which I agree with Obama.

[golly]

That's why people voted NO on gay marriages. That's the purpose of the election. Whatever it is, the results of the voting should be respected.Period.

[annie]

Go Schwarzenegger!

On the topic of same-sex marriage, I don't think America is ready for it. Like, I'm all about equality for everyone, and the steps that need to be taken to ensure this ought to be taken, but I can really only see it dividing the chasm between liberals and conservatives further and creating more bickering, while I feel like politicians and people alike should cooperate more to ensure equal rights and privileges for all. I don't even really believe in the institution of marriage between heterosexual couples, but clearly it's an issue that needs to be attended to; unfortunately, I think the passage of such a provision now will just keep American citizens from examining their own problems. My argument right now is weak idk I'm still working on it, but I just feel like there's a lot more social progress to be made in terms of civility and tolerance before we can even settle a matter such as this.

What I'd really like to see is emphasized separation between chruch and state, but I fear culturally we are too far gone.

[golly]

Vote for Meg Whitman.One man and one woman.

[Tim]

How about everyone begin respecting the fact that homosexuality is not a choice. There is nothing more inhumane than the selfishness people demonstrate in homophobia. Grow up.

[Illyssa]

I'm pretty sure religion and the government were made seperate a long time ago. What makes this any different? The only arguments I've heard against this are religious arguments which shouldn't the case because marriage is mostly just a legal thing and not everyone who gets married are religious. This whole thing is getting ridiculous this shouldn't even be an option everyone should have equal rights!

[Illyssa]

I'm pretty sure religion and the government were made seperate a long time ago. What makes this any different? The only arguments I've heard against this are religious arguments which shouldn't the case because marriage is mostly just a legal thing and not everyone who gets married are religious. This whole thing is getting ridiculous this shouldn't even be an option everyone should have equal rights!