California to consider putting same-sex marriage in constitution

Pro-LGBT legislators in California on Tuesday introduced a bill to reverse language in the state constitution that says marriage is between one man and one woman. California voters in 2008 approved Proposition 8, but a U.S. District Court decision in 2010 ruled that section of the state constitution violated the U.S. Constitution. Prop. 8 has remained on the books, though inactive, since then. The new legislation seeks to enshrine the “right” to same-sex marriage into the state constitution, as well as repeal Prop. 8. 

Why now? Some California legislators are concerned that the United States Supreme Court could overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2015. Congress in December passed the Respect for Marriage Act, but it only requires states to recognize same-sex marriage licenses. If Obergefell v. Hodges was overturned, Prop. 8 could still possibly prevent same-sex couples from obtaining marriage licenses in California. 

Dig deeper: Read Hunter Baker’s column in WORLD Opinions on what a Christian’s responsibility is in a sexual revolution.