Cali Constitutional gay marriage ban struck down

[30ashopper]

SAN FRANCISCO ? A federal judge overturned California's gay-marriage ban Wednesday in a landmark case that could eventually force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed.

The A.P. "wed" statement is a little misleading, at issue is whether or not states have the right to restrict marriage licenses based on the sex of the couple. The Judge felt California's Prop 8 was a civil rights violation, and struck the amendment down. The judge had this to say:

"Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples," the judge wrote in his 136-page ruling.

He also said proponents offered little evidence that they were motivated by anything other than animus toward gays ? beginning with their campaign to pass the ban, which included claims of wanting to protect children from learning about same-sex marriage in school.

"Proposition 8 played on the a fear that exposure to homosexuality would turn children into homosexuals and that parents should dread having children who are not heterosexual," Walker wrote.

Sound familiar? The ruling will be appealed to a federal court, (S.F. 9th circuit) after which it'll head to the Supreme Court. If the ruling holds, this will also likely strike down Florida's same sex marriage constitutional amendment. Something I would welcome.

Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban - Yahoo! News

 

[hkem1]

What would be wrong with just getting the word "marriage" out of the government completely. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can have their ceremonies and call it marriage amongst themselves. But all the legal things that come along with marriage can just be called "legal partnerships". This way, everyone has equal rights and the government does not have to recognize same sex marriages.

I think this case makes a large statement even out side the controversy of same-sex marriage.

This case is about whether a group of citizens in a state can make a law and vote on it amongst themselves (proposition 8). I think that we need to stick to our republican values (that's republican with a little "r") and not get into majority rules on every subject.

In a democracy, if 51% of the people vote to enslave the other 49%, then that's what happens. That is kind of how I feel about the California proposition system. I think the system of government we have set up does a good job of rewarding the majority, but also protecting the minority.

 

[30ashopper]

What would be wrong with just getting the word "marriage" out of the government completely. Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can have their ceremonies and call it marriage amongst themselves. But all the legal things that come along with marriage can just be called "legal partnerships". This way, everyone has equal rights and the government does not have to recognize same sex marriages.

I think this case makes a large statement even out side the controversy of same-sex marriage.

This case is about whether a group of citizens in a state can make a law and vote on it amongst themselves (proposition 8). I think that we need to stick to our republican values (that's republican with a little "r") and not get into majority rules on every subject.

In a democracy, if 51% of the people vote to enslave the other 49%, then that's what happens. That is kind of how I feel about the California proposition system. I think the system of government we have set up does a good job of rewarding the majority, but also protecting the minority.

The federal government, by offering benefits to civil service union employee dependents, and tax breaks to married couples, dug this hole a long time ago. This is something our elected officials simply don't have backbone to undo.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I very much agree with the idea of civil unions for everyone. Even if you get married in a church, you still have to get a license from the government and then if you get divorced you have to go back through the gov. to do this as well, unless you're Catholic and then you have to deal with both.

I also think that it will open up a whole lot more revenue for wedding planners, caterers and divorce attorneys.

 

[scooterbug44]

I would love to see all Proposition hates struck down!

Just another ism IMO. These people are going to spend their lives together and have sex whether you approve or not - all of this energy could be focused on REAL issues that actually hurt us.

 

[sarawind]

This is a prime example of the democrats using gay rights to cover their real aim which is to to tear down the constitution. Dems don't care about gay rights one little bit. It's a vehicle for their destruction of this country. 7,000,000 million voters California voted against gay marriage and one gay judge (not that there's anything wrong with that) slapped their vote down. States rights are being undermined by the Feds and we are losing freedoms and liberties every day thanks to Obama and the democrats.

 

[Will B]

I would love to see all Proposition hates struck down!

Just another ism IMO. These people are going to spend their lives together and have sex whether you approve or not - all of this energy could be focused on REAL issues that actually hurt us.

I agree...

I think everybody should ask the question "How does marriage between two men or two women hurt me?"

Does it really hurt anybody? No?

If you can give a valid answer to how you are being harmed, I'd like to know.

 

[Gidget]

We should rejoice that in this CrAzY world, two people were able to find each other and want to commit to each other. Will B you are correct - HOW could it possibly hurt what my dh and I have? It can only make it stronger, for when we see two people happy it makes us happy

 

[LuciferSam]

I agree...

I think everybody should ask the question "How does marriage between two men or two women hurt me?"

Does it really hurt anybody? No?

If you can give a valid answer to how you are being harmed, I'd like to know.

Because marriage is a very real structure like a house or a building. All who are married share that house. A gay marriage weakens the foundation of the house and it starts to crumble injuring spiritually all those who share the structure. Evreybody looses you see, because once you are married, your sharing the institute of marriage with all other married people. A gay marriage corrupts the institute which you belong to, and hurts you in the eyes of God. So when your married, its not just you're marriage, its everybodys'.

 

[Gidget]

Ezra Klein - Who overturned Prop 8?

So, about that liberal activist judge who overturned Prop 8 yesterday!

And this is very well written:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-susan-corso/if-love-and-marriage-go-t_b_666547.html