Unsurprisingly, the governor's decision to sign two gay-rights measures elicited strong reactions from groups on both sides of the issue.
In the final hours of the bill signing period, the governor signed a bill to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and a measure that designates May 22 a day to honor the slain gay-rights activist Harvey Milk.
Geoff Kors, executive director of the gay-rights group Equality California, commended the governor for signing the "critical and groundbreaking measures into law and rising above partisan politics to improve the lives of LGBT Californians."
"Californians will now learn about Harvey's amazing contributions to the advancement of civil rights for decades to come," Kors said in a statement. "He is a role model to millions, and this legislation will help ensure his legacy lives on forever."
Kors also applauded the marriage recognition bill for providing "much needed protections for same-sex couples who have, or will in the future, legally marry out of state and who deserve to be treated like any other married couple."
Randy Thomasson, president of the conservative coalition Save California released a statement characterizing Milk as a "public liar" and sexual predator who was in "no way a good role model for impressionable schoolchildren."
Thomasson slammed the move to commemorate Harvey Milk Day at California schools as "more in-your-face, homosexual-bisexual-transsexual indoctrination" for public schoolchildren.
Thomasson also voiced concerns about the type of activities that could constitute commemorative activities aimed at teaching about Milk's life.
The governor had vetoed an identical measure to the Milk bill last year, saying the former San Francisco supervisor should be recognized on a local level.
Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said increased recognition of Milk's accomplishments, including a posthumous Medal of Freedom from President Obama, prompted the governor to sign the bill.
"The governor believes Harvey Milk has come to symbolize the gay community in California, and he wanted to honor the importance of and contributions of the gay community in California," McLear said.
Photo: Harvey Milk in an undated file photo.
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