Dear Governor Schwarzenegger –
This is Jury Appreciation Week, which I discovered when I was called in for jury duty.
The jurors on my panel were asked to state the occupation of their spouse or significant other. Most people answered “my husband,” “my wife,” “my fiancée” or “I’m single.”
Thanks to the California Supreme Court I was able to answer the question simply, using the term “my husband.” Everybody knew the nature of my relationship and understood the commitment that I had made.
Because of your 2007 veto of AB 43 (The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act) and the ensuing Proposition 8, other Californians who were not able to get married during 2007 are denied the opportunity to call their most significant significant other their “husband” or “wife.”
I wish we lived in a state where two adults who are willing and able to marry are not blocked by their government from marrying each other.
Sincerely,