Sep 15, 2006  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking heat for vetoing a bill that would have prohibited negative portrayal of gays in school textbooks and other instructional materials. It expanded existing anti-discrimination laws that apply to minorities.

Schwarzenegger, a Republican, vetoed the bill Sept. 6. He said it was unnecessary because the state’s education code already prohibits discrimination in schools.

But gay activists lambasted the governor for yielding to conservative lobbyists.

“Yet again,” said Equality California Executive Director Geoff Kors, “this governor has shown that he will play politics with our lives when a few extremists yell loud enough.”

Kors and others said Schwarzenegger’s veto is merely the latest instance of the governor backing away from a campaign pledge to seek equality for California gays.

Schwarzenegger last year vetoed an historic same-sex marriage bill. He also vetoed last year a bill to deter political gay-baiting.

But the governor’s supporters note he’s signed more than one dozen gay rights bills.

Log Cabin Republicans California Director Jeff Bissiri said Schwarzenegger has given the state’s gay residents major new rights and opportunities.

Bissiri said he was disappointed by the governor’s recent veto, but still considers Schwarzenegger an ally.

“We don’t always agree with the governor on every issue,” Bissiri said, “but has one of most inclusive records of any governor in history.”

Signatures vs. vetoes

Since his election in October 2003, Schwarzenegger has signed more gay friendly bills than he’s vetoed.

Bills he signed in 2004 created a pilot HIV/AIDS pharmacy program, furthered the state’s domestic partnership law, and ended the state militia’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Schwarzenegger also strengthened the state’s hate crime law to protect gay Californians.

More recently, he signed bills to establish an African American HIV/AIDS initiative, add sexual orientation to a key civil rights act and provide equity to domestic partners of retired state employees.

But National Stonewall Democrats spokesman John Marble said these accomplishments are overshadowed by Schwarzenegger’s veto of the marriage bill.

“He’s the first governor in American history who has vetoed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to be legally married,” Marble said. “That’s not a mixed record. That’s a dismal record.”

Kors agreed. He said Schwarzenegger’s veto of the marriage and textbook bills has relegated California gays to second-class status.

“The fact remains that he said that all LGBT people should be given the same rights as every other Californian,” he said. “But he has vetoed every bill that would do that. It sends the message that we’re not truly equal.”

Kors and Marble noted Schwarzenegger, who is seeking reelection this fall, is campaigning against a Democrat who has promised to sign a marriage equality bill.

“California deserves a governor who will not play politics with our lives, and is committed to equality under the law for all Californians,” Kors said. “Phil Angelides will be that kind of governor.”

Better off blue?

Gay Republicans said California shouldn’t blindly put a Democrat at the helm. Bissiri said gays should support Schwarzenegger because he’s shown the Republican Party how to reconcile gay and conservative views. And such a lesson could have national ramifications.

“I think he’s demonstrated a willingness to be his own man on some of these issues,” Bissiri said, “and is clearly someone the gay and lesbian community should work with.”

Kors disagreed and said Schwarzenegger is a conservative panderer at heart.

“The fact remains that when push comes to shove, the governor does all he can to appeal to right wing forces without making progressives angry at him,” Kors said. “I think it’s unfortunate that he has not chosen to stand for equality.”

Marble chided Schwarzenegger for buckling to conservative pressure to veto the textbook bill.