We believe the time is at hand where the California Community’s view of marriage is expanding to embrace the understanding that each of us should have the right to choose our marriage partner.

We believe that such a right should be defined by each of us being able to choose One Person.

That is, the maintenance of marriage as a relationship between two, and only two people.

We believe that such a right should only be available to a Competent Person.

That is, that we should maintain the procedures in place to prevent a person from entering into marriage, where such a person does not understand its principles.  (Currently, of course, all persons are presumed to be competent, and action by a third party is necessary to challenge competency.  We support the maintenance of this current process, to prevent exploitation of those who are not competent, as determined by the court.)

We believe that such a right should only be available to an Adult Person.

That is, the current scheme permitting a minor to marry, requiring special approval by the court, should be maintained.

Marriage is one of the fundamental experiences which define us as a people.  It is a cherished institution, heartfelt, celebrated, and embraced by our community as a beautiful human experience.

The time has come for us, as the community of people that is California, to declare it to be a right that should be available to any two people, who are, each of them, competent and an adult.

It is no longer plausible to argue that one who is attracted to a person of the same gender is misguided, or needs counseling, or should be “swayed” from their choices.  Such a point of view is no longer with in the realm of reality.  Fewer and fewer people are defending the absurd position that people who are attracted to others of their own gender can be “cured”.

With every passing moment, our community has become a people who are accepting the personal choices of others in the matter of attraction.  The friendships we make, the people with whom we work, and the social systems we create, no longer expect people to be attracted to people of the opposite gender.

We are held together by certain universal truths, which transcend whether or not one is attracted to people of the opposite or same gender. All of us want to love and be loved. We want to be heroes to our family and friends.  We want to look in the mirror and see someone others can count on, and know others will be there for us when we need their help.

People are made happy by common, everyday participation in society and its customs. Where something is closed to them, they have to ask themselves, “why”.  This non-inclusion eats at them, and has the potential to consume them.  It burdens their soul, and can make them feel that they are not full participants in the joys life has to offer.

With every passing month, more couples of the same gender openly acknowledge who their partners are, and include them in social and work related settings.  Every passing day, more people support the relationships of couples, regardless of their gender makeup, because it’s natural to celebrate people’s love for one another.

This is our time for acknowledging that we, as Californians, can openly celebrate the love all people share in joining together to be married.  This time has come.  There is no turning back.  Ours will be the generation that legalizes marriage where the couple is made up of two competent, adult people, who share a love and wish to declare it before their family, friends, and the community of our State.