More than 200
activists converged in Los Angeles at former movie
star Arnold Schwarzenegger's plaque on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame Tuesday night, chanting for the
California governor to sign a same-sex marriage bill
into law.
The event was
organized by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian
Center. Participants met at the center and
then marched to the Walk of Fame site, upon which
they placed dozens of pens.
A bill that would
legalize same-sex marriage passed both houses of the
legislature, but Schwarzenegger has pledged to veto the law,
just as he did in 2005 with similar legislation. The
measure, AB 43, is expected to reach his desk this
week. He has until October 14 to either sign or
veto it.
"Governor
Schwarzenegger became famous for playing an action hero in
the movies; now we're asking him to be a hero
in real life and end inequality and marriage
discrimination against gay men and lesbians by signing AB
43," Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the center, said in a
statement.
Los Angeles, San
Jose, Long Beach, Santa Cruz, and, as of today, San
Diego have all filed amicus briefs to support reversal of
the state's current ban on same-sex marriage.
(The Advocate)
