If at first you don't succeed, try, try to circumvent the will of the people

In 2000, California voters decided that marriage is limited to a man and a woman. A judge overruled the voters, but that decision will still have to face the appellate process. Gay rights activists are also hitting the California legislature which, today, refused by a thin margin to legalize gay marriage in California:

If lawmakers found themselves indecisive about Assemblyman Mark Leno's bid to legalize same-sex marriage as time came to vote on the bill this week, one thing was certain: They were going to find themselves talking with the Gattos. As the green linoleum hallway outside the state Assembly chamber was filled with the tasseled loafers and high heels of lobbyists, as the idealism of spring was yielding to the pragmatism of summer, the members of this family from San Carlos -- lesbian couple Ramona and Orzu and their 17-year-old daughter, Marina -- were busy making their case, too. Ultimately, the Legislature remained unmoved, voting 37-36 for Leno's bill, AB19, four votes shy of the number needed for approval Thursday night. For the time being, the vote signaled an end to lawmakers' struggle over one of society's most divisive issues, and it indicated that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger probably would not be faced with a bill on the subject this year.

As I've said before, I'm ambivalent about gay marriage, and have not yet decided whether I think it's a good thing. What I have decided is that I don't like having it forced on me through judicial and legislative machinations intended solely to circumvent the straightforward political process. I'm therefore pleased to see the normally spineless California legislature hold firm on this issue.