The first was the state's Supreme Judicial Court's 2003 ruling that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
It defines marriage as being only between a man and a woman, making California one of 30 states to adopt a ban on same-sex marriage.
In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and began performing marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples in May 2004.
The Arlington Group, comprised of leading conservative Evangelical leaders, has threatened to withhold their support for Mr Bush's Social Security plans if he does not vigorously pursue a ban on same-sex marriage.
He supports a ban on same-sex marriage, laws restricting abortion except in cases involving rape, incest or a threat to the life of the mother, and legislation that would make English the country's official language.
And don't think that the vote was an expression of social conservatism: Arizona also became the first state in the country's history to reject a ban on same-sex marriage, the only state among eight to do so this November.
In 1996, responding to a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage for the purpose of federal law.
When the president supported a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, McCain voted against it.
The effectiveness of his leadership, however, will be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court as it considers a California ban on same-sex marriage.
He has tried to soften his tone, but he has not been helped by the Republican nominee for lieutenant-governor, Jay Katzen, who wants a straight ban on abortions, a prohibition of same-sex marriage and a roll-back of Virginia's restrictions on hand-gun purchases (which Mr Earley supported).
The court's first major examination of gay rights in 10 years begins Tuesday with a hearing on California's ban on same-sex marriage.
The DOMA argument followed Tuesday's case over California's ban on same-sex marriage, a case in which the justices indicated they might avoid a major national ruling on whether America's gays and lesbians have a right to marry.
He has a large family, boasts a 100% percent prolife voting record, and supported the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
The Obama administration has asked the Supreme Court to strike down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of gay marriage, and in n a separate case asked the high court to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage.
But the markers Jindal puts down means he is backing social conservative positions such as opposition to same-sex marriage and the call for a constitutional ban on abortion that is codified in the party platform.
Opponents of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage vow to try again in 2010 in hopes of a different result.
More than 100 Republicans also submitted a "friend of the court" brief to the Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage.
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