Left-coast libertines

The nation's first officially recognized homosexual state legislative caucus last week came out in California. At its first press conference, the new five-member "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus" stumped for three pro-gay bills. One would give same-sex domestic partners rights virtually equal to those of married couples. This despite California voters' overwhelming approval in 2000 of Proposition 22, a ballot measure prohibiting state recognition of same-sex marriages.

The Golden State legislature's recognition of the new caucus-which joins existing black, Latino, and women's caucuses-underscores the success of gay activists' long campaign to portray homosexuality as normal. The irony: The caucus's official status entitles it to a part-time legislative staffer. That means the same citizens who voted to ban same-sex marriage are now paying to support a group bent on subverting their will.