News

Republican Congressman Tom Campbell Announces Strong Opposition to Knight Initiative in California

Prods other officials who privately oppose gratuitous anti-gay measure: "To remain silent is unacceptable"

July 1, 1999

(WASHINGTON, DC) – A leading House Republican from California has announced strong opposition to the so-called Knight Initiative, a measure banning same-sex marriages on the California ballot in March 2000, and called on others "who will nevertheless be tempted to keep a low profile" to speak out against the measure.

"The more opinion leaders who note that the proposition is utterly unnecessary, and the earlier they do so," Campbell said, "the better our chances of de-fusing an issue that, if made more controversial, could result in increased hate and hurt in our state. Given that truth, to remain silent is unacceptable."

The statement makes Campbell the first Republican Congressman in California to publicly oppose the Knight Initiative.

"Tom Campbell is one of the most intelligent and credentialed members of Congress," said Mike German, president of the Log Cabin Club of San Francisco, who worked closely with Campbell on the issue. "And the greatest value of Congressman Campbell's statement lies in his leadership role, coming so early in the campaign. We hope to see more Democrats and Republicans following his example and working with us to defeat this unnecessary and harmful effort."

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Statement by Congressman Tom Campbell (R-CA) on the Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Initiative in California

"I oppose the March 2000 California ballot initiative on same-sex marriages and urge all elected officials to do the same.

"No opponent of this initiative need be in favor of gay marriage. To oppose this initiative, one need only be in favor of not seeking division in California on this issue now. Traditionally, initiatives become necessary when the legislature has repeatedly failed to address an issue that calls out for action, or when the legislature has acted in a way contrary to the people's will. In this case, however, no legislation is pending in Sacramento to recognize gay marriages.

"Some leaders of our community who agree will nevertheless be tempted to keep a low profile. However, the more opinion leaders who note that the proposition is utterly unnecessary, and the earlier they do so, the better our chances of de-fusing an issue that, if made more controversial, could result in increased hate and hurt in our state. Given that truth, to remain silent is unacceptable.

"Marriage has both religious and civil consequences. Some religious faiths perform and recognize gay marriages; others do not. These questions are best left to the religions themselves, lest the state government involve itself in an analysis of whether the tenets of any particular church are acceptable or not.

"On the issue of civil consequences, practical issues take precedence. Should one partner be allowed to visit the other in the hospital at times when only 'family' is permitted? If two people grow old together, and one develops Alzheimer's, should we hold that the other is unfit to be the conservator and protector of the one in need, giving legal preference instead to a remote blood-relative? Civil consequences should be the same regardless of whether a couple, committed to a loving and permanent relationship, is of the same or opposite sex.

"I generally favor less rather than more governmental involvement in matters of individual freedom, and this is no exception. Neither government approval nor government disapproval is appropriate. As this proposition calls for government disapproval, I urge its rejection."

Congressman Campbell acknowledges the assistance and advice of members of the Log Cabin Republican Clubs of California in preparing his position and his statement.