RESOLUTION NO. _____________

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

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RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION OF PROPOSITION 8, LIMIT ON MARRIAGE, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

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RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that

WHEREAS, Proposition 8 would amend the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California; and

WHEREAS, marriage would be limited to individuals of the opposite sex, and individuals of the same would be denied the right to marry in California, as currently permitted; and

WHEREAS, the measure would deprive same-gender couples from receiving equal treatment in our State as it relates to marriage; and

WHEREAS, on May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that marriage is a fundamental constitutional right and limiting marriage to person of the opposite sex violates the equal protection clause of the California Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the Court ordered the language to be stricken from the statute, making marriage between individuals of the same sex valid or recognized in the state; and

WHEREAS, the County has long supported the rights of same-sex couples by providing domestic partner benefits to its employees;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Board of Supervisors oppose Proposition 8, Limit on Marriage, Constitutional Amendment.

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