With a voter initiative drive already under way, pro-family groups in California believe the battle over marriage in the Golden State is far from over, despite the historic state Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex couples to wed.

Last month, a coalition of churches and citizen groups submitted 1.1 million signatures to California's 58 counties to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot recognizing marriage as only between one man and one woman.

"The people's overwhelming support to protect the longstanding meaning of marriage as between a man and a woman has been staggering," stated Ron Prentice, chairman of the ProtectMarriage.com Executive Committee and CEO of the California Family Council. "The California Marriage Amendment will allow the people of California, not politicians or judges, to reaffirm the definition of marriage by placing it in the Constitution."

The measure would have no fiscal effect on state or local governments, the supporters argue.

(Story continues below)

The state Supreme Court's 4-3 decision Thursday determined state laws specifying marriage as between a man and a woman were unconstitutional, setting off celebrations around the state.

A spokesman for the San Francisco-based homosexual-marriage advocacy organization Our Families Coalition called Thursday "an incredibly historic day.'

"I'm so thrilled, I'm so excited for what this means for my family and all Californians," she told WND.

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said the votes of the four justices who favored same-sex marriage "will be vindicated by history."

But opponents point out that just eight years ago, more than 61 percent of California voters passed a proposition to keep marriage only between a man and a woman.

Now, with the statute declared unconstitutional, the voter initiative drive to amend the state Constitution is crucial to supporters of traditional marriage.

Officials in all 58 counties have received the petitions, the California Family Council told WND, and now must validate the signatures, ensuring the initiative has the required 694,354 voters.

Supporters collected most of the signatures in a little more than 90 days, far fewer than the 150 days allowed by law.

Signature gatherers faced a "decline-to-sign" campaign waged by homosexual-rights organizations, backers of the amendment said. But they note that despite significant harassment and intimidation, more than 1 million residents signed anyway.

Churches have been leaders in the petition drive, and Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, a WND columnist, is urging more black congregations to join the campaign.

 

"For far too long churches have sat on the sidelines while serious moral issues have been decided without their participation," said Peterson, founder and president of California-based BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny. "Changing the definition of traditional marriage to include homosexuals is wrong and Christians have a moral duty to speak out against it."

Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans For Truth, believes opponents of the ruling shouldn't stop with the marriage amendment.

"Clearly, what needs to happen in California now is for pastors and Christians to get a backbone and lead two campaigns – first to pass the proposed marriage amendment and second to impeach these corrupt, anti-democratic judges, starting with the chief justice," he said.

LaBarbera chastised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who promised to abide by the ruling.

"Shame on tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger for being such a wimp on this issue, by pandering to the Log Cabin homosexual Republicans despite their tiny numbers in the GOP," LaBarbera said, referring to the organization of homosexuals who belong to the party.

 

---

Related special offers:

Get Ann's latest and hottest book, "Godless: The Church of Liberalism"

"The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom"

"The Gay Agenda: It's Dividing the Family, the Church, and a Nation"

"Betrayed by the Bench"

Previous stories:

California's 'judicial fiat' condemned – by judge

Black robes trash traditional marriage

California's 'judicial fiat' condemned – by judge

Plan pushes for last step in eliminating marriage

Court asked to protect 1-man, 1-woman marriage

Pro-marriage groups: 'Don't trust courts!'

Gov. Arnold 'terminates' man-and-woman marriage plan

Gov. Arnold says 'marriage' can be terminated

California handing out marriage privileges

'Marriage' to become museum piece

Homosexual marriage minces west to California

Court will decide if California voters were right

Vote or pay us damages, group tells lawmakers

7 more states say no to 'gay marriage'

Same-sex rulings will 'echo' across U.S.

Senate rejects 'gay marriage' ban

California Senate OKs 'gay' marriage

Mayor faces trial for same-sex marriages

60% of polled Americans: No homosexual marriage

It's 'gay' marriage in Massachusetts

Poll: Massachusetts opposes 'gay' marriage

'Gay' marriage ruling's consequences 'dire'

'Gay' marriage ban struck down in Massachusetts

Bush to block 'gay' marriage

Poll suggests backlash on 'gay' issues

Court strikes down Texas sodomy law

Supreme Court hears 'right to sodomy' case

High court to give 'gays' their own 'Roe'?