Preparing initiative for the repeal of Proposition 8 in CA

. . .  No less than five initiatives have been cleared for takeoff by the Secretary of State's office. All five would repeal the current provision in California's Constitution that limits marriages to between a man and a woman; and they all include a clause that would exempt clergy persons from having to perform a marriage ceremony if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

All five take aim at Prop. 8, approved by the voters last November, which amended the California Constitution to define marriage as a union of a man and a woman. The measure overturned a May 2008 state Supreme Court ruling that granted gays and lesbians the right to marry their chosen partners.

Each initiative needs the signature of 694,354 registered voters (eight percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election) by April 12 to qualify for the November ballot. Of course, not everyone thinks the issue should be brought back to voters that soon.