Divided L.A. county board of supervisors opposesProposition 22

LOS ANGELES - A divided county Board of Supervisors voted to officially oppose Proposition 22, the controversial state initiative that would prohibit California from recognizing same-gender marriages.

The supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to go on record against the proposal, with opponents of the measure saying it would dismantle domestic partner benefits.

''It has nothing to do about marriage. ... It exploits prejudice and it aims ultimately at dismantling hard-won and important benefits that we have provided to people in domestic partnerships,'' said Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.

The initiative on the March 7 ballot would declare, ''Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.'' It is intended to stop the state from recognizing gay marriages that are legalized in any other state.

Proponents of Proposition 22 claim the law is needed to prevent gay couples from getting married in another state where such marriages are legal and then moving to California and remaining a legally married couple.

But opponents say the measure could affect domestic partner rights such as hospital visitation, wills and health benefits.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich said domestic partners laws would not be affected by Proposition 22.

''What is has to (do) with (is) the preserving of the institution of marriage,'' Antonovich said. He was joined by Supervisor Don Knabe.

Voting to oppose the measure were Yaroslavsky and Supervisors Gloria Molina and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.