COUNTY CLERK PETITIONS COURT TO STOP ISSUANCE OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES

July 21, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenberg Jr. has filed a petition with the California Supreme Court asking justices to prohibit County Clerks from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.  The marriages resumed after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling invalidating Proposition 8.  But Dronenberg argues the ruling should apply only to the two couples who sued over Prop 8.

Today Greg Cox, Chairman of the San Diego Board of Supervisors, made clear that Dronenberg acted on his own.  “No one else from the County was consulted or had any part of ths court action, including the Board of Supervisors,” Cox said in a statement sent to media.  “The County’s position is and always has been that we, the County, will follow applicable law with regards to same sex marriage.”

California Attorney General Kamala Harris  made clear that she expects same-sex marriages to continue statewide with “no exceptions.”  She added that Dronenberg offered no new arguments to deny “constitutionally protected civil rights” to same-sex partners.

Protect Marriage, an organization opposed to same-sex unions, issued a statement applauding Dronenberg , adding, “We hope other county clerks will bravely step forward, as well.”

Supervisor Dave Roberts, who is gay and married to his partner, stated that if Dronenberg refuses to issue licenses, Supervisors will step in to assure that the law is followed, the Los Angeles Times reported.