> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Gay marriage bill sparks a heated debate - URL: https://www.smdp.com/gay-marriage-bill-sparks-a-heated-debate/ - Published: 2006-12-06T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T23:17:23.000Z - Author: Melody Hanatani - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *One of first same sex ceremonies in California performed in SM* CITYWIDE — Already expected to be one of the most contentious issues in the new legislative year, a proposed bill to legalize same-sex unions in the state of California has aroused interest within Santa Monica’s religious community. Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) reintroduced an assembly bill on Monday that would amend Section 300 of the Family Code to define marriage as a civil union between two people rather than between a man and a woman. The new bill, called the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act,” is nearly identical to AB849 — another bill introduced by Leno that passed in both state legislative houses in 2005, but was later vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill is expected to spark a battle between religious groups and conservative organizations like the Campaign for Children and Families, a Sacramento-based group whose president, Randy Thomasson, has spoken out against the proposed legislation. “To continue to push for full-blown ‘gay marriage’ licenses is unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic,” Thomasson said. Locally, the religious community in Santa Monica seems divided on the issue, with some churches supporting and others opposing a legal definition to allow same-sex unions. “The Catholic Church \[believes\] that marriage is for one man and a woman,”said Jason Farmer,communications coordinator for Saint Monica’s Parish Community, on Tuesday. Despite its stance on gay marriage, the church is accepting of all parishioners, regardless of whether they are gay or straight. As part of its efforts to remain open-minded, the local Catholic church has established Gay and Lesbian Outreach, providing a safe place for gay and lesbian parishioners to practice spiritual activities in peace. But because it believes that marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman, marriage ceremonies are not performed for same sex couples hoping to solidify the relationship with a blessing by the priest. Several churches in Santa Monica, however, support same-sex marriages and believe Leno’s proposed bill is a step in the right direction in a state where voters passed a proposition in 2000 to limit the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. “We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the right people have to their commitment to someone they love and have that be blessed by the church,” said Rev. Judith Meyer of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica, on Tuesday. The Unitarian Universalist Church has been on the record as being in favor of same-sex marriages since the 1960s. One of the first same-sex union ceremonies in California was performed in the 1960s by former Rev. Ernie Pipes, who is now a minister emeritus at UUCC of Santa Monica, according to Meyer. The church performs marriage ceremonies for both same-sex and heterosexual couples, with the only difference being the former is not recognized by the state. At Saint Augustine By the Sea, an Episcopalian Church in Downtown Santa Monica, Rev. Hartshorn Murphy performs same-sex commitment ceremonies rather than same-sex marriage ceremonies, only because the latter is not legally recognized. The two ceremonies are similar, but referred to by different names. Both same-sex and heterosexual couples have to go through the same preparatory procedures before engaging in a commitment or marriage ceremony. If the same sex unions are legalized, Saint Augustine By the Sea would be supportive, said Murphy. In fact, John Bruno, the Episcopal bishop of the Los Angeles Diocese, performed a same-sex union ceremony for two men a few years ago. “What happens in both marriage and commitment ceremonies is people exchange vows to live with stability and faithfulness,” Murphy said on Tuesday. “We are asking God to bless that.” TAKING A STANCE Some churches, like the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, have not adopted an official stance on same-sex marriage, partially because its parishioners are all over the map on the issue. The current hot issue in the national church is not same-sex marriage, but whether the national Presbyterian Church should allow its local chapters to determine for themselves whether gay and lesbian people should hold leadership positions in their respective churches,such as deacons and ministers of the word of sacrament, said Bill Wood, a minister of the word of sacrament at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica. Wood personally supports Leno’s bill. “This is the direction both the church and our society needs to move in order to achieve full equality, as well as to promote the faithfulness in covenant,” said Wood. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 6, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)