Without any noted dissent, the California Supreme Court has denied a request to stop county clerks from issuing same-sex marriage licenses — the second such decision in as many weeks. The Court was responding to a suit from San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg, who insists he is confused about what California law is even though the injunction against Proposition 8 remains in place.
Dronenberg suggested as many as 19 more of the state’s 58 county clerks stood with him in requesting clarification about the legality of same-sex marriage since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision dismissing the standing of Prop 8’s proponents, allowing Judge Vaughan Walker’s injunction against Prop 8 to stand. In contrast, a group of 24 county clerks have urged the California Supreme Court to allow them to continue issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Advocates held a news conference Tuesday morning to demand accountability from Dronenburg for wasting taxpayer money on his suit, and he chose to show up himself and speak. He claimed that no taxpayer money was used to fund his efforts, but of course state money will have to be used to defend against his petition. Ignoring suggestions his religious beliefs were motivating his actions, Dronenburg explained his belief that it was “cruel” to start offering same-sex couples marriage “and then take it away.”
The California Supreme Court has asked to be briefed in the coming weeks in regards to the suits filed by Dronenburg and proponents, but same-sex marriages will continue in the meantime.