As for all the California comments, not only did the legislature TWICE pass marriage bills, the Supreme Court also voted for us (until, sadly, the law itself was taken out of their hands)and California still has the most comprehensive Civil Unions/Domestic Partnership law in the country. The same exact rights as married couples, just not the term marriage. In fact, it was because of this that Prop 8 managed to pass at all. Had Prop 8 actually taken away any of our legal rights it never would have passed. It was “the people” who messed us up, not the legislature. So don’t start spending your money elsewhere just yet. It’s a huge, important state and after losing by such a slim margin we need not stir up a hornets nest while trying to garner good will for 2010.

Paul: We’re making such a “big deal” about this, because every single “little step” needs to be celebrated, if for no other reason than to acknowledge and thank the people whose herculean efforts created the “no big deal” success. Yes, in the large scheme of things, it isn’t what we want or are due, but positive little steps should always be praised.

The difference between Nevada and Cali is that Nevada’s legislature is very clear on what they’re not doing. Nevada is NOT “there” yet, but their legislators helped move it along by overriding the gov’s veto. California is in desperate face-saving mode, and it’s doomed to fail. What does the law really require Sutter Health to do re: gay patient’s rights? Gays aren’t married, and Sutter’s not a public agency, so right now the law DOES NOT directly require Sutter Health to treat gays and str8s the same. Don’t tell me I’m wrong–watch the Superior Court dockets across the state. I’m not singling out Sutter, I’m using them as just one easily-recognized business in California.

Ben, if you wanted to argue a more conservative side, then do you realize how much money business will spend on litigation–money that won’t go into expansion, that may even result in job losses. Businesses operate within the law, and fuzzy crap like civil unions/DPs is questionable–does the business have to recognize it or not? You work in California but you were on a company site in Arkansas when your hsuband/partner died? Arkansas says you can pound salt. Your piece of paper means nothing because your civil union/DP doesn’t exist in Arkansas law. This happens thousands and thousands of times over.

Ben, stop appeasing and act like you got a set.

However, that California is exactly the same as Nevada should not be taken a point of pride by Californians. After all, the Golden State fancies itself as the most progressive, innovative, and creative of all the states. A title that it has neither earned nor deserves by birthright. Between Prop. 8 passing, Miss California, the cowardly State Supeme Court, and clueless politicians like Schwarzenegger, Pelosi, et al — it is hard to imagine what justifies the “we’re so much more progressive than thou” smugness that so many San Franciscans and Angelenos still exhibit.

They will, no doubt, fund an effort to override the legislature some how..