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July 10, 2008

Conservative County Won't Buck California Marriage Ruling

Conservative County Won't Buck California Marriage Ruling

Kern County supervisors refused to ban gay marriage, rebutting a conservative group that sought to make it the first California county to reject the statewide policy.

The Campaign for Children and Families hoped the passage of a gay marriage ban in Kern County would embolden other counties to follow suit.

But supervisors declined to act on the measure after Bernard Barmann, the county's lawyer, said it would be illegal for the county to adopt its own same-sex marriage ban.

The Kern County clerk's office stopped offering all marriage ceremonies on June 15, the day before gay marriage became legal.

The five-member board also let die a motion to explore whether county employees who are willing to officiate same-sex weddings could be deputized for the duty by officials in neighboring San Bernardino County. (AP)

Keywords:  California marriage 
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Reader Comments

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  • Name: Nick
    Date posted: 2008-11-18 1:26 AM
    Hometown: San Diego

    Comment:

    I agree it is time that boycotts and protest keep moving. I for one will not be goving any money to religious organizations, that includes the Salvation Army. It is time that we keep this moving until all people have rights in ths country. I am in favor of taxing religions just like we are taxed, they do not diserve special perks any longer it they are spending tax exempt money on bigotry and hatred.


  • Name: Bigge Mike
    Date posted: 2008-11-16 12:12 AM
    Hometown: el cerrito

    Comment:

    Safeway and Albertsons/Lucky gets their milk and dairy from Kern county. Boycott these products among the rest from Kern


  • Name: Juan
    Date posted: 2008-11-08 5:27 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Since 75.3% of Kern County voted yes on 8, eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry, efforst are being done to boycott Kern county with our dollars.


  • Name: Bret
    Date posted: 2008-07-10 3:57 PM
    Hometown: Everett, WA

    Comment:

    Hmmmm....Kern County...sounds kind of "rural" to me. I've often wondered about the paradox of homophobia, bigotry and geography. Let's see......if you live in a crowded city, full of traffic, pollution, congestion, high cost of living, and crime..........that leads to a "live and let live, tolerant attitude toward others". But.....those who live in a "rural" area or "small town" environment full of fresh air, uncongested roads and beautiful scenery are prone to racism, homophobia and bigotry of all sorts. Ever wonder why that is? Strange, huh? I think a lot of them live "out there" simply because they can't make it in the city (losers) and also to keep themselves away from people of color or, you know, them 'homo's'. Well, as far as I'm concerned....."keep them out there"!!! I've also made the observation that hot, humid places breed intolerance, bigotry, racism and homophobia as well, for example: The southeastern "quadrant" (The South) of the United States. Strange observation, huh?


  • Name: Tom
    Date posted: 2008-07-10 3:36 PM
    Hometown: San Jose

    Comment:

    Yup. This is how we make our point. Boycott any spending in Kern County. Give their decisions a financial impact.


  • Name: Jeff Jankowiak
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 8:33 PM
    Hometown: Glendale CA.

    Comment:

    I travel routinely through Kern County on business but rarely on pleasure. Where are all these evil traditionalists? I only seem to run into good, sincere, easy going people. I think the problem in Kern County is there exists a few people who thrive on whipping up hatred towards homosexuals, hispanics, blacks, asians and anyone different to advance their evil agendas. Remember most of these "Family" groups are aggressive fundraisers who live off our hard earned dollars. They need your money to keep their jobs! To the people of Kern County...hold firm to the values of right and wrong and the freedoms this country was founded upon. Dont let a few zealots and "Family Values" fundraisers control your hearts, minds and votes. Just listen to your heart and the loving advice God gives us each day. I know you will do the right thing.


  • Name: Harry Stewart
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 6:05 PM
    Hometown: Red Bluff

    Comment:

    Kern County was once a place of peaceful law abiding place to live, but it now appears to be the land of many mean spirited, bigoted, racist, homophobic people. Good Christian family units that teach hate, homophobia, and white redneck superiority. There are some fine people in Kern County and if you know someone there, tell them how you feel. Support the fight to keep Kern County open to change, a place where residents and visitors can feel safe and welcome, and the legal process is fundamental. Find the email address of the Kern County Board of Supervisors and tell them what you think. Mention money and business and tourist dollars. You might add an observation as to how a county clerk can defy superiors, the Kern County Board of Supervisors, the California Supreme Court and still retain their job. I am 6th generation Native Californian and have some experience with this subject.


  • Name: Terre
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 6:01 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo

    Comment:

    The wedding industry can make $100-$200 million/yr in CA from gay weddings. (Williams Institute, UCLA Law College) ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY makes our issue widely relevant. Thousands of jobs, much-needed tax revenue. Photographers, florists, bakers, printers, stylists, venues, restaurants, hotels, transport... If anti-gays have their way, these businesses will be prevented from doing business. People who may not be so committed to ideals like equality may be very committed to making money. Their choice: satisfy fanatics or make money? OUR NATURAL ALLIES - people who believe in equal rights and want to live in a free and just society. People who believe in spiritual union between two souls. People who know marriage has positive effects on society in the forms of stability and wealth creation. People who know it's none of their business to dictate who another person marries. Last but not least, people who make money from people who get married (and divorced).


  • Name: Terre
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 5:58 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo

    Comment:

    The wedding industry can make $100-$200 million/yr in CA from gay weddings. (Williams Institute, UCLA Law College) Economic benefits of marriage equality makes our issue widely relevant. Thousands of jobs, much-needed tax revenue. Photographers, florists, bakers, printers, stylists, venues, restaurants, hotels, transport... If anti-gays have their way, these businesses will be prevented from doing business. People who may not be so committed to ideals like equality may be very committed to making money. Their choice: satisfy fanatics or make money? Our natural allies - people who believe in equal rights and want to live in a free and just society. People who believe in spiritual union between two souls. People who know marriage has positive effects on society in the forms of stability and wealth creation. People who know it's none of their business to dictate who another person marries. Last but not least, people who make money from people who get married (and divorced).


  • Name: Terre
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 5:57 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo

    Comment:

    PS: Search 'wiki RWA' to find more about people who value their version of tradition over fairness, like the Kern County Clerk Recorder who consulted with an anti-gay group in Arizona before stopping all civil marriages in order to avoid treating gay people equally.


  • Name: Bruce
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 5:40 PM
    Hometown: Visalia

    Comment:

    Thank god there is some sanity here.


  • Name: James
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 4:03 PM
    Hometown: Inland Empire

    Comment:

    When will we ever understand? It saddens me to think we live in 2008 and people are still so fearful that HAPPY PEOPLE might want to share their joy and get married. Califronia is an amazing state (outside of Kern County Crazys) and IT IS LEGAL to get married ANYWHERE IN CALIFORNIA. For these people to deny rights and break the law is wrong. I say, we withhold tax payer dollars to that county!


  • Name: Michael
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 3:55 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Really, I don't understand why some straight people oppose gay marriage. Since they are not "affected" by it at all.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 2:40 PM
    Hometown: East Hampton

    Comment:

    It's really ridiculous that people would feel threatened by gay marriages. We want the same rights as other Americans, after all, we pay taxes and contribute to society. Americans who feel threatened need to get educated and get real!!!!


  • Name: Steve‎ Taylor
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 2:22 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    I used to spend money in Kern County while traveling thru it while camping and on the way to Las Vegas. No more. We have a system of laws in the land and the supreme court has spoken. The sky will not fall because a miniscule number of gay people - in relation to the total U.S. population want to get married. Move on to solving problems, not creating them.


  • Name: Rich
    Date posted: 2008-07-09 1:29 PM
    Hometown: San Diego

    Comment:

    While it has very little impact on Kern County, my husband and I traveled through over the past weekend and made a point to not stop or spend any money within their boundary. It would be nice if the state government of California would withhold tax proceeds sent to this county until they realized that they do not have the right to ignore the law or to discriminate, but I'm not counting on this to happen.


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