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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| California bans same-sex marriage | California bans same-sex marriage |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Californian voters have chosen to ban same-sex marriage, months after it was legalised by the state's top court. | Californian voters have chosen to ban same-sex marriage, months after it was legalised by the state's top court. |
| The measure restricting marriage to heterosexual couples gained 52% support - more than 5.1 million votes - with nearly all precincts declaring results. | The measure restricting marriage to heterosexual couples gained 52% support - more than 5.1 million votes - with nearly all precincts declaring results. |
| Twenty-seven US states already ban same-sex marriage. California's legal approval had seen thousands of gay couples wed there since May. | Twenty-seven US states already ban same-sex marriage. California's legal approval had seen thousands of gay couples wed there since May. |
| State Attorney General Jerry Brown has said those marriages will remain valid. | State Attorney General Jerry Brown has said those marriages will remain valid. |
| Legal challenges to the measure, known as Proposition 8, are likely. | Legal challenges to the measure, known as Proposition 8, are likely. |
| The referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase that: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California." | The referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase that: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California." |
| Bitter campaign | Bitter campaign |
| The ballot measure was keenly fought with more than $70m spent on advertising by both sides - breaking national records for campaigning on a social policy initiative. | The ballot measure was keenly fought with more than $70m spent on advertising by both sides - breaking national records for campaigning on a social policy initiative. |
| People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a good deal Frank Schubert Proposition 8 supporter | People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a good deal Frank Schubert Proposition 8 supporter |
| The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles says that for many liberal Californians, on a day when Barack Obama was swept to victory, the election was a bittersweet experience. | The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles says that for many liberal Californians, on a day when Barack Obama was swept to victory, the election was a bittersweet experience. |
| He said they won the White House - but lost on an issue many believed had already been resolved by the courts. | He said they won the White House - but lost on an issue many believed had already been resolved by the courts. |
| Conservative groups have welcomed the ban. | Conservative groups have welcomed the ban. |
| "People believe in the institution of marriage" said Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign. | "People believe in the institution of marriage" said Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign. |
| There has been enormous movement in favor of full equality Kate KendallLesbian rights campaigner | There has been enormous movement in favor of full equality Kate KendallLesbian rights campaigner |
| "It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides." | "It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides." |
| But gay rights supporters vowed to fight on. | |
| Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said "there has been enormous movement in favour of full equality in eight short years". | |
| "That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or tomorrow, it will be soon," she added. | "That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or tomorrow, it will be soon," she added. |
| Florida and Arizona also backed proposals to ban gay marriage, by 62% and 56% respectively, on 4 November. | Florida and Arizona also backed proposals to ban gay marriage, by 62% and 56% respectively, on 4 November. |
| Other proposals | Other proposals |
| The measure was among 153 state-level proposals up for vote on US presidential election day. | The measure was among 153 state-level proposals up for vote on US presidential election day. |
| Other measures under consideration by 36 states ranged from initiatives on gambling, drug laws and stem cell research to tax laws and affirmative action on race. | Other measures under consideration by 36 states ranged from initiatives on gambling, drug laws and stem cell research to tax laws and affirmative action on race. |
| There were 59 such initiatives in 2008. | There were 59 such initiatives in 2008. |
| In South Dakota and Colorado, measures curtailing abortion rights were rejected. | In South Dakota and Colorado, measures curtailing abortion rights were rejected. |
| Michigan voted to allow medical use of marijuana, while Nebraska voted to end race- and gender-based affirmative action. | Michigan voted to allow medical use of marijuana, while Nebraska voted to end race- and gender-based affirmative action. |
| In Oregon, a measure designed to limit teaching of students in language other than English to no more than two years was defeated. | In Oregon, a measure designed to limit teaching of students in language other than English to no more than two years was defeated. |
| Washington state voted to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill people. | Washington state voted to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill people. |
| Amid deep economic uncertainty, proposals to cut state income taxes were defeated decisively in North Dakota and Massachusetts. | Amid deep economic uncertainty, proposals to cut state income taxes were defeated decisively in North Dakota and Massachusetts. |
| Missouri repealed a $500 loss limit designed to protect compulsive gamblers on riverboats. | Missouri repealed a $500 loss limit designed to protect compulsive gamblers on riverboats. |