Thread: California Supreme Court: State constitution gives gays the right to marry

For four years, the gay rights movement has clung to the hope that the California Supreme Court would reverse its flagging political and legal fortunes across the country and legalize same-sex marriage.

By one vote, the strategy worked. And gay couples across California can get up this morning and plan their own June weddings for the first time in state history. California then joins Massachusetts as the only states where gay couples can marry.

In a ruling that is certain to inflame the social, political and moral debate over gay marriage, a divided state Supreme Court dominated by Republican appointees on Thursday struck down California laws that restrict marriage to heterosexual couples. The 4-3 ruling, written by Chief Justice Ronald George, found that it is unconstitutional to deprive gays and lesbians of the equal right to walk down the aisle with a government-issued marriage license in hand.
"The California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee this basic civil right to all Californians, whether gay or heterosexual, and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples," the court said in a 121-page decision that gives gays unprecedented rights.

The Supreme Court's ruling will leave an indelible mark on civil rights law, but the next few months may well decide how enduring the result will be for California's gay and lesbian couples, dozens of whom gathered outside the court Thursday morning awaiting the outcome.

Legal experts say the generally conservative bent of the California Supreme Court could lend even more clout to the ruling.

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula...nclick_check=1

This is great news. I have a number of good friends and associates in W. Hollywood who are long time gay couples. Some of the nicest folks you'd ever meet.

These long-suffering folks have finally won a victory. Let's see if it lasts.

In spite of all the gay-bashing that happens on this forum, I think it's all in jest. When you get to know real, productive gay people you discover they are just like anyone else. They should have some rights.

Originally Posted by chinthee

They should have some rights.

Only some?

^^This is gonna be good. Expect the usual suspects will be all over this thread like flies on doo doo.

Well. that's just great.

If I had any gay friends, I'm sure they'd be thrilled to know the state recognizes their relationships and will now puke in the opposite direction when they're seen groping in public.

Unless they're hot lesbians.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Unless they're hot lesbians.

Unfortunately, all the lesbo couples I know in California have hairy upper lips. Sorry, old bean.

Gay marriage opponents vow to fight Calif. ruling

SAN FRANCISCO - Even as same-sex couples across California begin making plans to tie the knot, opponents are redoubling their efforts to make sure wedding bells never ring for gay couples in the nation's most populous state.

A conservative group said it would ask California's Supreme Court to postpone putting its decision legalizing gay marriage into effect until after the fall election. That's when voters will likely have a chance to weigh in on a proposed amendment to California's constitution that would bar same-sex couples from getting married.

If the court does not grant the request, gay marriages could begin in California in as little as 30 days, the time it typically takes for the justices' opinions to become final.

With a stroke of a pen Thursday, the Republican-dominated court swept away decades of tradition and said there was no legally justifiable reason why the state should withhold the institution of marriage because of a couple's sexual orientation.

To date, 26 states have approved constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.
In the past few years, courts in New York, Maryland and Washington state have refused to allow gay marriage, and New Jersey's highest court gave the state lawmakers the option of establishing civil unions as an alternative.

Massachusetts is the only other state to legalize gay marriage, something it did in 2004. More than 9,500 same-sex couples in that state have wed. The California ruling is considered monumental because of the state's population — 38 million out of a U.S. population of 302 million — and its historical role as the vanguard of many social and cultural changes that have swept the country since World War II.

California has an estimated 108,734 same-sex households, according to 2006 census figures.

Gay marriage opponents vow to fight Calif. ruling - Yahoo! News

I really don't give a toss about the whole queers thing. They want to poke each other in the arse let them get on with it, doesn't affect me at all, in fact a takes a couple of guys out of the pussy competition.
But when they want to get married, to try and normalize what they do, and society says yes, thats just sad.
It isn't normal, its a deviant practice, maybe harmless but still not normal.

Yeah Pete but for every gay guy that withdraws a competitor from the pussy chase, every lesbian withdraws a prize.

^I think I spotted Texpat one night going into a gay sauna in Redondo Beach. I'm sure of it.

Texpat may be a crusty 'ol bastard at times but I am 100% sure he doesn't go in for turd burglary

How does it hurt anybody by letting them get married?

There are plenty of single parent families. How is that better than two of the same sex?

Two gays will not provide a child a balanced view on sex or sexuality.

As with most things, I think it has to do with money.

They can file joint taxes maybe? Cheaper car insurance if you're married. Family health insurance instead of individual plan ... stuff like that. Adopt kids maybe? (Norton beat me to it)

Chinthee, it certainly weren't me -- and you know damn well all the gay saunas are in Santa Monica and Hollywierd.

Us, south of LAX types, are straight arrows.

Originally Posted by Shitman

Two gays will not provide a child a balanced view on what is socially acceptable

Must be a lot of gays in Manchester then..

Originally Posted by Sir Burr

There are plenty of single parent families. How is that better than two of the same sex?

Can't compare the two. A single parent is a dad or a mom. Parents of the same sex are "what" to a child. Maybe I would have turned out worse or better if I had two male parents but somehow my gut feeling is I certainly would not be the same.

Originally Posted by lom

Must be a lot of gays in Manchester

One or two

Originally Posted by Texpat

Chinthee, it certainly weren't me -- and you know damn well all the gay saunas are in Santa Monica and Hollywierd.

Yeah, alright, I know you're straight, and I could scare the hell out of you if I took you to my old stomping grounds on Santa Monica.

Here they are. Talk show star Degenerated (only in terms of her commentary) and her soon-to-be-wife. Don't care what they do, but the chick's show is so lame.

^Anne Heche was cuter. I think she turned straight though.

^ Ya. Heard she can't pay alimony to her ex-husband anymore as she hasn't worked since January. 5555

Originally Posted by chinthee

I think I spotted Texpat one night going into a gay sauna in Redondo Beach. I'm sure of it.

i knew it. tp sucks an angry cock.

i have zero problem with marriage rights being extended to gays/lesbians. more power to them. (semper fi, texie.)

wasn't someone recently posting self righteously about the "hollywood-ization" of political discourse?

Originally Posted by obsidian

tp sucks an angry cock.

don't know about that, but he is undeniably angry.

SOME REJOICE; OTHERS ARE 'SOUL-SICK'

Nowhere is the opinion divide on gay marriage sharper than in the nation's religious communities. And last week's same-sex marriage ruling will do little to bring agreement on the definition of marriage, a social and religious touchstone that has torn apart families, congregations and entire dioceses.

Thursday's California Supreme Court ruling allowing state-sanctioned same-sex marriages, of course, has no legal consequences for organized religions. Still, the controversial topic has not stopped faith leaders from crossing into the political arena. Faith leaders on both sides of the divide are gearing up for the expected battle over a constitutional amendment, likely headed to the November ballot, that would attempt to overturn Thursday's ruling and write a ban into the state's constitution.

Even as secular opinions may be shifting toward gay marriage, many of the nation's biggest denominations remain resolutely against it, or are deeply split. Four years after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage, there has been no sudden shift to embrace such unions among major denominations that have long opposed the idea.

And where there has been movement to embrace gay rights, often headline-making fights have followed, leading to threats of breakups and secession, including among Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Lutheran branches.

Many church leaders say their position against gay marriage is a moral one, based on the teachings in the Bible.
"The state is infringing on the church's rights to follow what the Bible says," said Pastor Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel San Jose. "I'm not condemning homosexuals."

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_9301126

This promises to be a hot issue, even for California. I do love that argument above though, about the State infringing on the Church's rights to follow the bible.