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California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger broke ranks again with the Republican Party, signing two gay rights bills Sunday night, one of them honoring the late activist Harvey Milk, and the other one granting civil-union status to gay couples that have married in other states.
The bills -- both authored by state Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) -- were among hundreds of others signed by Schwarzenegger last night, the Sacramento Bee reported.
Sunday's move was also an about face from Schwarzenegger's position last year, in which he vetoed a bill declaring May 22 -- Milk's birthday -- a day of statewide recognition for Milk. At the time, Schwarzenegger suggested Milk -- a former San Francisco County Supervisor who was murdered for his activism -- be recognized locally.
Although Leno's SB 54 recognizes the gay marriages that have occurred out of state, Schwarzenegger said the couples will not be considered married, but rather will enjoy the same legal protections as other couples that enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships out of state.