Here is what our friends in the California Senate had to say during the hearing of AB 849 on September 1, 2005

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VOTE:

“This is the first time in this country that a state house has voted for full marriage rights for all of its citizens,” Leno said after the vote.

“This is a bill whose time has come,” Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles) who was the princilpe supporter for the bill in the Senate.

“I will tell my grandchildren that I took a vote on this course and on committee for the rights of many people to have the same rights that I had.

“And that it is the most important piece …[of bill] of legislation that I voted for in my career. I want my grandchildren to be proud of me that I stood for equality and justice for all,” Sen. Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont).

Members said they think the issue has generated more attention than any other this session. “I’ve had 4000 calls,” said Sen. Deborah Ortiz, (D-Sacramento)

“This is probably the most profound civil rights movement of our generation without a doubt,” Sen. Jackie Speier, (D-San Francisco/San Mateo)

“I’m very proud today to be a member of this institution, to be a part of this debate, it will always be something that I remember as one of the most important days of my life,” Alan S. Lowenthal (D-Long Beach)

ON THE ISSUES:

Proponents called same-sex marriage a simple civil rights issue. “Equality is equality, period,” said Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont. Others, like Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) likened arguments in favor of the state’s current marriage laws to those used to inter Japanese Americans and justify slavery. “History has shown that that was wrong,” she said.

But Republican opponents said marriage between a man and a woman is a building block of society and argued that the institution was created by God.  A “higher power created the institution of marriage,” said Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth (R-San Diego). “We should protect traditional marriage and we should uphold all of those values and institutions that have made our society --  that keep our society together today.”

Sen. Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) said that “marriage is fundamentally different from a civil contract. It’s the way we bring new life into the world.” He called it a “natural institution,” which “we’ve done a lot to undermine.”

“This is another move down that path,” he said.

Sen. Edward Vincent (D-Los Angeles), told personal stories. Vincent, who is black, said his 50-year marriage to his wife Marilyn, who is white, would have been illegal in California until 1948.

“The last time I checked, a higher power created us all,” said Richard Alarcón, (D-San Fernando Valley). “I don’t think anyone should claim God as being on their side in this debate. We are here to discuss the civil rights of all Californians,” argued Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach)

“My higher power tells me: love one another,” said Martha M. Escutia (D-Montebello)

“When you look at the Judeo-Christian principles, the main principles have been equality and tolerance.”

Others, like Sen. Jackie Speier, (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) said that existing domestic partnership statutes are like the laws that created separate but equal education systems.

“We are not talking about religious activities. ….This is about creating civil marriage,” she said. 

She called arguments against gay marriage, “preposterous rationalization.”

“Think about all the rationalization that came when we said it was fine to have separate but equal education in this country. She said her 11-year-old daughter quizzed her. “Why did they have separate bathrooms,” she asked. “And why did they have separate water fountains? Children today cannot understand that. Nor should they.”

Quietly author Leno slipped onto the floor from the Assembly across the hall, and supporters joined him at the back of the chamber.

“The species, Sen. McClintock, will continue, I assure you,” said Lou Torakson

“I hope you vote for the bill because you believe in equity on the earth,” said Sen. Carole Migden (D-San Francisco), one of three lesbian state senators. As she did a tear ran down Kuehl’s cheek. Kuehl was first elected to the legislature 15 years ago, joined shortly after by Migden. “This conversation would have been unheard of then,” Kuehl had said earlier in the debate.

“I can only say I meet you all with an open heart,” Migden said to the bill’s opponents, “but I don’t presume to judge you or interfere with your interpretations of your love.”

Afterwards Leno spoke to reporters and explained that progress in gay rights in California has been incremental. “There is no more increment,” he said.

“Either we’re first class citizens, or we’re not.”