City Council Votes Unanimous in Support Against Prop. 8

It took less than five minutes of the City Council’s time on Monday to pass agenda item 8C, taking a vote in support of California Mayors United Against Proposition 8.

The statement, which is attached to this article as a PDF, states in part, “As Mayors, we have a responsibility to unite our cities, not divide them…

Proposition 8 created separate and unequal status for same‐sex couples throughout California, and denies equality to same‐sex couples, violating the Constitutional guarantee of due process and equal protection...

“Residents of our cities who work in the private sector must hope that their private employer confers such benefits upon samesex couples, while their heterosexual co‐workers do not face such obstacles. Proposition 8 has only served to divide our city into groups, one with more rights and dignity than the other.”

There were a total of at least 26 mayors who had signed the Statement previously, including Mayor Susan Jones of Healdsburg and Mayor David Glass of Petaluma.

“The city of Sonoma has taken a very proactive stance assuring that all of the rights of all our citizens are treated fairly, and we are justifiably proud of that record,” said Mayor Ken Brown in introducing the vote.

There were no questions or comments from Council members before the question was opened for public comment, and only one member of the public who offered one.

Wine marketing executive Mark Vogler agreed with the mayor about making “Sonoma a place for everyone to feel welcome. In regard to Prop. 8, I would encourage you to go that step further."

An identical twin, Vogler spoke of his brother’s split families and two divorces, compared to his own experience as a gay man.

“I’ve been with my partner for 16 years, but people don’t know when our anniversary is because we’re not allowed to get married,” he said.  

“I don’t see  anniversary cards from my parents, not that they’re against us but it’s not something that is in the public forefront as a ceremony of life. And it would be nice to share those moments, and get the same sort of feedback my brother gets.”

He added, “He’s welcome to get married a third time, and I still can’t get married once.”

His was the only public comment on the motion, and Council member Laurie Gallian stated her support when she moved to approve. Councilman Tom Rouse rushed to voice his “total support” as well in his second.

Councilmember David Cook added that he wanted everyone to know that he, too, supported the motion.

“Normally I saw that there’s some things that we shouldn’t be involved in as a Council, but this one starts at the local level. And the hate needs to stop.”

Councilmember Steve Barbose also voiced his support, saying, "The right to marry is a fundamental legal right, it should not be denied citizes on the basis of their gender preference. Hopefully that argument will resonate with the Supreme Court.”

“It’s always been my belief that the city of Sonoma is the very bedrock of democracy in our [state],” said Mayor Brown, “and we take it very very seriously. It’s crucial to me that all of our citizens young and old know that the city of Sonoma is behind them and will protect their rights.”

He called for, and got, a rousing yes vote from all council members. The measure passed 5-0.

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