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==History of Marriage in California==

==History of Marriage in California==

Historically marriage in the state of California had always been between a man and a woman, though from 1850 to 1977, the statutory definition of marriage in California was gender-neutral, containing no reference to "man" or "woman."<ref>www.religioustolerance.org, ''CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL AB 19, "The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act"'' [http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marl7.htm]</ref>  In 1977, the California legislature amended the California Family Code to remove the gender-neutral definition of marriage and make it clear that marriage was between a man and a woman. <ref>UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, ''Same-Sex Marriage in California - Overview and Issues''[http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/htGayMarriage.html]</ref>   

Historically marriage in the state of California had always been between a man and a woman. In 1977, the California legislature amended the California Family Code to remove the gender-neutral definition of marriage and make it clear that marriage was between a man and a woman. <ref>UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, ''Same-Sex Marriage in California - Overview and Issues''[http://igs.berkeley.edu/library/htGayMarriage.html]</ref>   

In 2000 the possibility of same-sex marriage being legalized in other states led to Proposition 22 being passed, adding language to restrict California from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples from other states as valid. <ref>California Voter Guide, ''Limit on Marriages. Initiative Statute.  Text of Proposition 22'' [http://primary2000.sos.ca.gov/VoterGuide/Propositions/22text.htm]  Section 308.5 was added to the Family Code, to read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."</ref>  Proposition 22 passed easily with 61% of the vote, but it was overturned by the Court in May of 2008.  The court went further and [[gay marriage]] was legalized by judicial degree, not by the will of the voters or the legislature.

In 2000 the possibility of same-sex marriage being legalized in other states led to Proposition 22 being passed, adding language to restrict California from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples from other states as valid. <ref>California Voter Guide, ''Limit on Marriages. Initiative Statute.  Text of Proposition 22'' [http://primary2000.sos.ca.gov/VoterGuide/Propositions/22text.htm]  Section 308.5 was added to the Family Code, to read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."</ref>  Proposition 22 passed easily with 61% of the vote, but it was overturned by the Court in May of 2008.  The court went further and [[gay marriage]] was legalized by judicial degree, not by the will of the voters or the legislature.