HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11302004 - C171 Contra
70: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS '••,,,
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FROM: JOHN SWEETEN, County Administrator Y - � Costa
DATE: NOVEMBER 23, 2004 �o.;;,,_ ••,,;
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County
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SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
RECEIVE memorandum from the Human Relations Commission on the State of California
Marriage License Nondiscrimination Act.
BACKGROUND:
On October 20, 2004, the attached memorandum from the Human Relations Commission was
received by the County Administrator's Office and is, herewith, transmitted to the Board of
Supervisors for its information.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT.
• alis SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑ RECOMM ATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
ErAPPROVE ❑OTHER
(I�SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOf4 ON Wd ele
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED ❑ OTHER F-1
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
UNANIMOUS A ENTERED ON THE MINUTES
- S((ABSENT ) OF THE BOARD OF
AYES: NOES:
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTESTED: NOVEMBER 30,2004
Contact: JULIE ENEA(925)335-1077 JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
cc: HARLAN AVERITT,HRC CHAIR
By: eputy
MEMORANDUM
TO: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ATTN: JULIE ENEA
SUBJECT: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
FROM: Harlan Averitt, CCC Human Relations Commission
DATE: September 28, 2004
Following multiple petitions by delegations of citizens of Contra Costa County
to support passage of the State of California Marriage License
Nondiscrimination Act and to urge defeat of the Federal Marriage
Amendment, the Contra Costa County Human Relations Commission
respectfully submits the enclosed Resolutions for consideration.
Harlan Averitt
Interim Chairperson
Contra Costa County Human Relations Commission
Enclosures
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RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 1967,
THE MARRIAGE LICENSE NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT
WHER.EAS,Contra Costa has by local policy and ordinance shown its commitment to fair and
equitable treatment of all persons regardless of gender or sexual orientation,and
WHEREAS,Contra Costa is home to thousands of families headed by same-sex couples,many
with children,and
WHEREAS,these families deserve the same rights and legal protections as other families under the
law,including the protection of their children's economic interests by ensuring their access to the
resources of both parents,and
WHEREAS,marriage is a unique civil contract,separate and distinct from any religious,ethnic,
or other traditions, and
WHEREAS,civil marriage bestows thousands of state and federal rights,protections,and
responsibilities that are otherwise unavailable to gay and lesbian families,and
WHEREAS,discriminatory marriage laws result in significant harm to lesbian, gay,bisexual, and
transgendered people by perpetuating homophobia,just as anti-miscegenation laws barring people
of different races from marrying,legal in the United States until 1967,perpetuated racism and social
ostracism,and
WHEREAS,both the United States Constitution and California Constitution clearly state that no
person will be denied equal protection of the laws,and
WHEREAS,discriminatory marriage laws undermine the state of California's commitment to
equality,privacy,and justice for all of its citizens,and
WHEREAS,marriage is recognized as one of the fundamental elements of individual liberty,and
WHEREAS,the opportunity to publicly and legally commit to share one's life with a person of
one's choice is for many people one of the most central aspects of human experience,and denial of
marriage to same-sex couples is a denial of fundamental civil rights,
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF
CONTRA COSTA THAT:
The Commissioners urge the California State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
to end discrimination against lesbian, gay,bisexual,and transgendered people and their families
by enacting Assembly Bill 1967,as will be reintroduced in December by Assembly member
Mark Leno and co-authors including Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez,which provides for
equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations by all persons,regardless of
sex,gender identity,or sexual orientation,and urges the California State Legislature to pass,and
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign,Assembly Bill 1967.
i'ASSED AND ADAPTED this l st day of September,2004,by the following vote:
YES: 5
NO: 0
ABSTAIN: 4
Chairman Mr.Harlan Averitt
Vice Chairman Mr.Jaime Cader
Commissioner Mr.Tony Daniels
Commissioner Ms. Dolores DeBaca
Commissioner Mr.Troy Grove
Commissioner Ms. Maria Visintini
Commissioner Mr. Gerald Williams
Commissioner Ms. Elizabeth Williams
Commissioner Dr. Lucy Williams