The Human Rights Campaign expressed hope for working with California Governor-elect Schwarzenegger for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. Schwarzenegger, who is a moderate Republican, had a statement on his Web site saying he thinks ‘gay couples are entitled to full protection under the law.’
‘We are extremely hopeful that Governor-elect Schwarzenegger will hold true to his campaign pledge and join the majority of Californians in supporting all families equally,’ said HRC’s Elizabeth Birch.
Schwarzenegger’s official Web site had a statement supporting GLBT rights: ‘I am for equal rights for all. … I do believe that gaycouples are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based on their relationship.’
The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003, AB 205, is a newly enacted bill sponsored by Equality California. ‘Although a spokesman for the campaign said Schwarzenegger would not have signed AB 205, we hope he will join the majority of people in California who support this important legislation.’
California Board of Equalization Chairwoman Carole Migden, California’s highest ranking LGBT official, said ‘We see the Governor-elect as an ally and will take him at his word when he said he supported domestic partners.’
GLBT people not only comprised a significant proportion of the electorate in California’s recall vote but they were among the most ardent opponents of recalling Gov. Gray Davis. Voter News Service polls show four percent of voters told pollsters they were gay, lesbian or bisexual. The gay vote was nearly as large as the reported African American vote (6%) and larger than the reported Asian American vote (3%). Gay, lesbian and bisexual voters were much more opposed to the recall than others, according to the polls. By 58% to 42%, gays opposed the recall, compared to an overall spread of 55% to 45% favoring the recall. —————————————-