Debating Gay Marriage
The California Supreme Court heard arguments today on the constitutionality of the state's ban on gay marriage, an issue that could again emerge in the general election.
Gay rights groups filed suit to overturn the Proposition 22 law after same-sex marriages performed in 2004 in San Francisco were ruled invalid.
In the LA Weekly, Matthew Fleischer profiles Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, and Troy Perry and Phillip De Bliek, the two couples that are bringing suit against the state to overturn the law. They participate in an annual ritual: Going to the Beverly Hills Courthouse each Valentine's Day to get marriage licenses, only to be turned down.
"I'm nervous," says De Bliek, when asked about the lawsuit. "Good nervous, though. We're on the verge of making history. It's exciting."
Should they prevail, it will be interesting to see how the Democratic candidates react. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been aggressively courting the gay vote in Ohio and Texas, even as they each say they are opposed to same-sex marriage. But they are probably just as eager not to see it become a top general election campaign issue.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
Posted by: Charlotte | March 04, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Marriage is a basic civil right that should be attainable by all Americans. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
Posted by: Charlotte | March 04, 2008 at 04:37 PM
It is not quit clear to me why so many right-wing conservatives are completely against gay marriage. They are essentially trying to convince people that mutually respectful relationships are not beneficial to the couple or the society around them. In addition, Democrats that favor civil unions over marriage rights are opening the door to straight couples entering into civil unions so that they can get the benefits alloted, without actually getting married. Civil unions, then , will actually lower the overall marriage rate. Who is to stop two straight "friends" from filing for a civil union in order for work-related benefits in a state. Legalizing gay marriage would raise the overall marriage rates and civil unions would lower it. This is perhaps the goal of both political parties. Civil unions means no access to Social Security, whereas marriage does give access.
I'm a legally married gay man in Massachusetts, and because there is no federal recognition of our marriage, we will not contribute the bankruptcy of Social Security because we will not have access to the money that we pay for legally married straight couples tat tap into the Social Security Benefits of his/her spouse. Civil Unions may have nothing to do with gay rights, but rather may be a way of keeping money available in Social Security.
Jos76
www.jos76.wordpress.com
Posted by: jos76 | March 06, 2008 at 09:33 AM
It is not quit clear to me why so many right-wing conservatives are completely against gay marriage. They are essentially trying to convince people that mutually respectful relationships are not beneficial to the couple or the society around them. In addition, Democrats that favor civil unions over marriage rights are opening the door to straight couples entering into civil unions so that they can get the benefits alloted, without actually getting married. Civil unions, then , will actually lower the overall marriage rate. Who is to stop two straight "friends" from filing for a civil union in order for work-related benefits in a state. Legalizing gay marriage would raise the overall marriage rates and civil unions would lower it. This is perhaps the goal of both political parties. Civil unions means no access to Social Security, whereas marriage does give access.
I'm a legally married gay man in Massachusetts, and because there is no federal recognition of our marriage, we will not contribute the bankruptcy of Social Security because we will not have access to the money that we pay for legally married straight couples tat tap into the Social Security Benefits of his/her spouse. Civil Unions may have nothing to do with gay rights, but rather may be a way of keeping money available in Social Security.
Jos76
www.jos76.wordpress.com
Posted by: jos76 | March 06, 2008 at 09:34 AM