Gay Marriage in the Golden State

Looks like Gov. Arnold is going to have to decide whether he's for gay marriage or not, and soon:

The California Legislature yesterday became the first legislative body in the country to approve same-sex "marriage," as homosexual rights advocates overcame two earlier defeats in the Assembly.

The 41-35 vote sends the bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had no comment on the bill when it cleared the Senate last week, in what was widely seen as a symbolic vote at the time because of lower house's earlier rejections.

His office did not immediately respond late last night to a call seeking comment.

Although Mr. Schwarzenegger generally favors homosexual rights and domestic partnerships, he said in a 2003 interview with radio talk-show host Sean Hannity: "I think … marriage is something that should be between a man and a woman."

Whole Washington Times coverage–replete with scare quotes around marriage (even in the story's headline)–here.

Will the famously tolerant Arnold get a pass if he vetoes the bill? A reverse Nixon Goes to China? If he signs the bill into law, will the Wash Times still use the scare quotes? Will gay marriage, once approved by voters somewhere, retreat into oblivion, sort of like the dread '70s debates over girls playing in Little League?

More on the Cali situation and links to relevant Reason pieces here.