From
365gay.com:
Republican governors ended their annual meeting Saturday with a pledge to support an amendment to the Constitution to block same-sex marriage.
The governors, meeting in Boca Raton, said they feared that in the light of the Supreme Court ruling on sodomy that said gays are guaranteed equal treatment under the law they have to move now to safeguard the "sanctity of marriage." The announcement followed by days the Massachusetts high court ruling that same-sex couples cannot be prevented from obtaining marriage licenses in that state.
The governors' decision all but guarantees same-sex marriage will be a key issue in the 2004 election.
There are currently 28 GOP governors.
"In Colorado, the state law clearly affirms that marriage is a legal act between a man and a woman," the state's governor, Bill Owens, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association. But a federal amendment would be needed, he added, "if there's a concern that the U.S. Supreme Court were to act."
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush concurred.
"If there were uncertainty about the sanctity of marriage and it's necessary to have a constitutional amendment at the federal level, I would support it," Bush said.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did not attend the conference.
The GOP is under intense pressure from its own right wing and from conservative religious groups which account for a sizable proportion of the party's support.
Thirty-seven states already have laws on the books affirming that marriage is between a man and a woman.
A constitutional amendment requires approval by both houses of Congress and the legislatures of 38 states.