Community Corner

San Diego County Clerk Asks Court to Block Gay Marriage

Board of Supervisors chairman said Ernest Dronenburg is acting on his own and that the county will comply with the law.

Originally published 6:40 p.m. July 19.

This story was written and reported by Field Editor Jennifer Vigil.


Opponents are taking another shot at ending gay marriage in California and this time the shooter is from San Diego.

San Diego County clerk Ernest Dronenburg Jr. filed a petition Friday according to the Associated Press, arguing that same-sex marriage is not legal. 

He also said county clerks do not have to follow the dictates of state officials from Gov. Jerry Brown on down.

The state Supreme Court continues to hear arguments on the issue, according to the report, and is seeking additional submissions through Aug. 1.  

Dronenburg's actions quickly were disavowed by Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox in a statement issued late Friday afternoon: 

“The County Clerk has acted independently on this matter. No one else from the County was consulted or had any part of this court action, including the Board of Supervisors. The County’s position is and always has been that we, the County, will follow applicable law with regards to same sex marriage.” 

The Supreme Court last month cleared the way for gay marriages to resume in the state, but opponents have kept attempting to block them. The state's highest court denied one such request from opponents Monday.

Response began on Twitter within minutes of the report breaking throughout the state at about 4:30 p.m. and let's just say San Diego is not being cast in the most favorable light. 

What “is wrong with this city?” a La Jolla poster, @susanunit wrote, while San Diego Council President Todd Gloria called Dronenburg's move “hurtful and wrong.”


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