HomeMy WebLinkAbout20859 - RESOLUTIONS - 3/17/2004 RESOLUTION NO. 20859
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
' CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING A FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENT BANNING SAME SEX MARRIAGE
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2004, President Bush called for an amendment to the United
States Constitution banning same-sex marriage, and
WHEREAS, laws governing marriage have always been a matter for the states to decide and, in
fact, various states are grappling with this issue at this time, and, in California, Superior Courts
have begun to consider the issue of same-sex marriage and the State Supreme Court will be
asked to rule on this issue, and
WHEREAS, given these facts, an amendment to the United States Constitution is unnecessary
and represents a diversion of precious time and resources that would be better used to address
the more pressing issues facing our nation, and
WHEREAS, specifically, by unanimous vote on January 5, 2000, the City of Palm Springs City
Council passed an ordinance to the Municipal Code to establish a policy extending to unmarried
domestic partners certain rights afforded married couples, and
WHEREAS, proponents and opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment agree that
such an amendment could undermine and/or wipe out such domestic partnership protections
' and recognitions, and
WHEREAS, marriage confers over one-thousand rights and benefits that are unfairly denied to
same-sex couples, harming them and their families, such as access to healthcare, tax credits,
pensions, inheritance rights, etc, and
WHEREAS, the Palm Springs City Council recognizes and embraces diversity, as many
members of our community are in a committed gay or lesbian relationship and would benefit
from a same-sex marriage legal framework, conversely, they would be harmed by a
constitutional amendment prohibiting the same;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Palm Springs City Council does not
support legislation at any level of government that could limit individual rights, or contribute to
cultural bias in any form.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Palm Springs City Council does hereby resolve to
fervently oppose a Federal constitutional amendment prohibiting same sex marriages.
ADOPTED THIS 171h day of March, 2004.
AYES: Members Foat, McCulloch, Pougnet and Mayor Oden
NOES: None
ABSENT: Member Mills
' A E-ST CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Y.
City Clerk City Manage�r�
REVIEWED AND APPROVED AS TO FORM ���`