Schwarzenegger Vetoes OKs Gay Bills in Midnight Crunch

In an effort to approve or veto hundreds of backlogged bills passed by the California legislature, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acted on a handful of gay rights bills, including approving a measure that would recognize legal same-sex marriages performed outside the jurisdiction.

The couples would not be categorized as "married," in compliance with the state supreme court's decision upholding Proposition 8. Couples would instead be legally recognized in the same manner as California domestic partners.

"In short, this measure honors the will of the people in enacting Proposition 8 while providing important protections to those unions legally entered into in other states," Schwarzenegger said in a statement on SB 54.

A representative from the governor's office told Advocate.com that at least 700 bills were addressed on Sunday night. Schwarzenegger also approved a bill he had twice previously vetoed, to declare each May 22 as Harvey Milk Day.

However, Schwarzenegger also vetoed two bills that would have given protections to LGBT prisoners. He also vetoed a bill that would have set up an easier process for giving transgender people birth certificates, calling the provision "unnecessary."