The California Assembly passed a resolution Monday proclaiming June as LGBT Pride Month and recognizing several community leaders, but like the last such event three years ago, some Republican lawmakers balked and left the chambers.

Controversy arose when one Republican assemblyman linked the resolution's call for Californians to "work to help advance the cause of equality" with Proposition 8 and marriage equality for same-sex couples.

While GOP lawmakers didn't leave as a group like in 2006, Assemblyman Ted Gaines (R-Roseville) rose to speak against the resolution. Gaines reprimanded his colleagues for failing to acknowledge "the will of the people," as he linked the resolution, HR 17, to Prop 8 in his plea to oppose it.

"I must regrettably rise in opposition, both to this resolution and the ceremony which will accompany it," said Gaines. "We stand today in the people's house. All the people, not just the few. It is appropriate that the Assembly recognize and appreciate the myriad diversity that comprises the California mosaic. And I congratulate those who are working selflessly to help those in need and those who are suffering. But it is sadly evident that this resolution and the ceremony today is less about that and much more about advocating changes in the law that run counter to the will of the people, and I cannot be a party to that."

The resolution passed 45-6, with 21 Assembly members either absent or abstaining. Following the vote, all but seven Republican legislators left the chambers. The resolution had 43 co-sponsors.

The ceremony, titled "Yesterday's Progress, Tomorrow's Promise," honored Los Angeles-based artist Ivy Bottini, the first out lesbian to serve on the California Commission on Aging; Catholic priest Father Geoffrey Farrow, who came out not only as gay but against Prop 8 last fall and was removed as pastor of the St. Paul Newman Center at the Cal State Fresno campus; transgender activist Miss Major; former Black Cat bar owner Jose Sarria, who was the first out gay man to run for public office in America when he sought a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961; Keith Kerr, a retired brigadier general of the California National Guard and a retired U.S. Army colonel; Megan Hogan; and Bienstar Human Services, which works on Latino issues.

Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), who helped organize the recognition event, responded to Gaines's opposition.

"I really didn't see any mention of marriage," Ammiano said. "I understand why a connection would be made as we stand here today to acknowledge the people whose shoulders many of us stand on, including past and present members of the LGBT caucus."

Outside the Assembly chamber following the event, Ammiano talked about the GOP reaction.

"That kind of behavior always is going to be with us until we achieve true equality," he said. "I have respect for my colleagues and it's painful they feel this is a distance that cannot be bridged. But in the meantime, get over yourselves. It's not about them, it's about us, and I think we're doing fabulous."

State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) was pleased that some GOP lawmakers stayed on the floor.

"I wanted to just compliment the members of the Republican caucus who stayed on the floor," Kehoe told the Bay Area Reporter, noting that during the previous ceremony GOP legislators left as a group, "which was definitely intended to be a statement to oppose equal rights for LGBT Californians."

"There are clearly differences here in Sacramento," Kehoe added. "Democrats, by and large, support equal rights for LGBT Californians, Republicans oppose them, but maybe there's a little light at the end of the tunnel, some softening of their opposition, and that would be a good thing."

Assemblyman John Perez (D-Los Angeles) who is the first openly gay Latino elected to the Legislature, spoke of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement.

The seven GOP legislators who remained through the ceremony were Van Tran (Costa Mesa), Nathan Fletcher (San Diego), Curt Hagman (Diamond Bar), Audra Strickland (Westlake Village), Bill Emmerson (Rancho Cucamonga), Anthony Adams (Monrovia), and Dan Logue (Humboldt).