NPR: Prop. 8 Reignites Calif. Same-Sex Marriage Battle

A California ballot initiative could make same-sex marriage illegal yet again; Proposition 8 asks voters to amend the state constitution so that marriage is defined solely as a union between one man and one woman.

After trailing in the polls, the measure is now surging, partly due to support from beyond the state’s borders.

“Prop. 8 could have profound effects nationwide,” says professor John Matsusaka, who heads a University of Southern California institute that studies ballot initiatives. “California is a trendsetter. If you look at the things that have come through the ballot proposition process through the past 30 years ”” tax limits, term limits, medical marijuana ”” there’s been a host of issues that started in California and other states adopted once they started going forward.”

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Posted in * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * Religion News & Commentary, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, Law & Legal Issues, Marriage & Family, Politics in General, Sexuality, Sexuality Debate (Other denominations and faiths)