California gay marriage decision could push measures onto Arizona ballot

The California Supreme Court's ruling in favor of gay marriage Thursday could propel an Arizona gay marriage ban onto the November ballot, as well as a competing measure that would bar workplace discrimination against gays and the transgendered

The California court invalidated a state law that defined marriage as a heterosexual union. That could reignite the somewhat-dormant gay marriage debate, including in Arizona and the presidential race.

Social conservative groups are pushing for a constitutional gay marriage ban in Arizona. They want such a ban placed on the November ballot and are pressing the Arizona Senate to give final approval to a measure passed earlier by the Arizona House of Representatives.

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State law already defines marriage in Arizona as a heterosexual matter, but conservatives worry about judges throwing the law out.

Gay rights advocates are pushing a rival ballot measure that would prohibit employers from discriminating against workers and job applicants based on their sexual orientation and identity. State Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, is the main advocate of that measure.

A gay marriage ban ballot measure, which failed in 2006, also prohibited state and local governments and public colleges from offering domestic partner benefits to unmarried couples (straight and gay).

Arizona Sen. John McCain (the presumptive Republican presidential contender) backs a state ban on gay marriage, but not a federal constitutional amendment.