Marriage Equality in California!
The California Supreme Court has overturned a gay marriage ban in a ruling that would make the nation’s largest state the second one to allow gay and lesbian weddings.
The justices’ 4-3 decision Thursday says domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage. Chief Justice Ron George wrote the opinion.
The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco’s monthlong same-sex wedding march.
The case before the court involved a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a voter-approved law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
With the ruling, California could become the second state after Massachusetts where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
“What happens in California, either way, will have a huge impact around the nation. It will set the tone,” said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California.
California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to divorce and to sue for child support. It’s therefore unclear what additional relief state lawmakers could offer short of marriage if the court renders the existing ban unconstitutional.
A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine California’s current laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.
The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signature to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.
Just remember, they hate us for our freedoms. I’m speaking of religious right conservatives, of course.
I’m going to be glad for some friends in the Bay Area.
Oh, wait a minute, it was only heads exploding in wing-nut land.
No cause for concern.
Better yet, AHHHnold stands behind it.
I like this, from Governor Ah-nold:
As someone who grew up in the Bay Area, this makes me so proud. From what I’ve read so far, they did not restrict it to California residents, either – Like MA did. So, if you are in another state and want to marry your same-sex partner, head on out to CA once this goes into effect (in 30 days) and get married. Then go home and challenge your state to make them recognize your marriage. Obama is committed to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act too, so the Federal government may soon recognize all marriages as well.
As goes California, so goes the nation…
I am so happy!!!! This just made my day!!!! It is a Historic Day in GLBT History!!!!! As more states follow California and many others lead and offer Equal Rights to all, we can then focus our energy on overturning the bigoted laws in the 26 states that have them.
Marriage Equality
Living here in Ca. this makes me pretty happy also. Nice to hear good news once in awhile. I joined Equality California several years ago so get emails all the time of what is going on in our state Congress, what petitions to sign, which legislators are for these issues and so on. This usually also means people automatically assume I am gay as if I can’t be for GLBT rights unless I am gay.
Trust me we love our allies!!!! As a gay activist, I know we would not have gotten half as far as we have without our straight friends.
Ironically, this ruling comes down on the one-year anniversary of Jerry Falwell’s death. Smirk.
A toast to Jerry in honor of irony.
Get outta here! Does it really??
Heheheheheheheh! And HA! I always thought Falwell was closeted anyway. I have no proof; just an instinctual thing.
But no matter. This is fantastic news!!!
About. Bloody. Time.
If you look through Falwell’s history, early in his career he was against race-mixing. Lost that one, too.
Having spent a good portion of my life living in San Francisco, I am so happy with this ruling. I suspect the forces of evil are going to be motivated by this, but I think things are different now than they were in 2004. Except in Appalachia where it’s still 1863.
I was sitting in front of my computer at 1pm EST waiting for this decision. I downloaded it and started reading. I got through the important stuff. Then I had to go find a quiet spot in the office, to cry.
Called the hubby, but our conversation was brief, because we were both trying to maintain composure at work.
Tonight, after the kids go to bed, we’ll probably sit next to each other on the couch and try to take it all in.
Is there a trip to California in your future? Unlike MA, non-residents will be allowed to marry and the US Constitution requires all other states (and DC) respect contracts (including marriages) from all other states, despite the unconstitutional “Defense of Marriage Act” and all similarly unconstitutional state laws around the country.
Are you kidding? With a five year old and an infant? 🙂 The flight alone would probably age us 10 years.
No, we have no immediate plans to go to California.
It will be interesting to see what happens when this is tested.
About the flight.., Been there, done that with youngsters. The trick: Children’s Benadryl. Give it to ’em just before boarding the plane. They’ll zonk out early along the way.
It seems unlikely that the right-wingers will overthrow this decision in November though. Really unlikely. And there are groups we can all give to that will help ensure that they will fail at overturning this decision via constitutional amendment.
All the best to you and your family. Hopefully soon we’ll be able to recognize ALL families as equal. This is a step in the right direction though.
I’ve been doing a happy dance all afternoon. I am just so proud of our state. Unfortunately, I am really worried about the ballot measure to change the State Constitution. Arnold may not support it, but I sure as hell hope his wingnut supporters don’t either. SF is a beautiful city to get married in. :>)
With the new Obama-Surge of young folks voting this year, you should be able to defeat it. Almost no one under 30 in the west is opposed to gay marriage. And the latest polls on the topic in 2007 had it about 50/50.
Do you know what’s required for a constitutional amendment ballot measure to pass in CA? Just 50%+1, or a 2/3 majority? It’s an uphill battle for the people pushing that measure.