Calif. Senate in Favor of Gay Marriage

SACRAMENTO, CA -- Handing gay rights advocates a major victory, the California Senate approved legislation Thursday that would legalize same-sex marriages in California.

By a vote of 21-15, the California State Senate became the first legislative body in the US to approve a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act is now heading to the California State Assembly. If it passes it will be the first legislature in the country to offer equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

A similar same-sex marriage bill was voted down by the California State Assembly in June.

Assembly Member Mark Leno, who was one of six members introducing the bill, stated that "today represents another milestone toward the fulfillment of the American dream for thousands of lesbian and gay couples in California. Society is strongest when it upholds the basic civil rights of all its citizens, including the right to marry the person you love."

Current California law sets a traditional definition of marriage as a union of man and woman even though the state does allow domestic partnerships for gay couples, providing them many rights extended to married heterosexuals

In August the state's Supreme Court ruled that businesses must give spousal privileges to same-sex couples, including discounts, special services and other rights and benefits that they extend to married couples.