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Lawmakers Denounce Ballot Initiative Making Gay Sex Punishable By Death

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Members of the California Assembly are denouncing a proposed ballot measure that would make it legal to murder gay and lesbian people.

They unanimously approved a resolution Monday saying the Legislature morally and legally opposes the measure.

An Orange County lawyer has proposed a ballot initiative to make gay sex punishable by death. Attorney General Kamala Harris is asking a judge to toss it out.

Republican Assemblyman Donald Wagner of Irvine cautioned the Legislature against giving the initiative's author more than his 15 minutes of fame.

Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low of Campbell, who is gay, says California must stand up to hate speech; he says silence is acceptance.

Two bills have been introduced to try to thwart such initiatives.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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