After seven years of the worse presidency ever, it's nice to see that things are improving in anticipation of the end of GOP rule:

California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban. The AP reports: 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.

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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.

And if California does become the second state to offer marriage, Im going to guess that the New Jersey legislature will go back to work and finally give gay New Jerseyans full marital rights instead of separate, and not quite equal civil unions. And so on. Shit, in a few years Alabama could be sanctioning gay marriage. Or not.

Comments

[dguzman]

I think "or not" on places like Alabama. I sure hope that people ARE anticipating "the end of GOP rule." The idea of McCain winning gives me nightmares and a serious stomach ache.

[DCup]

About fucking time is right. And I'm glad to hear the Schwarzanneger (sp?) won't support a marriage amendment to the state constitution. Nice to see some sanity going around.

[gmb]

dguzman: Yeah, I was reaching. Still, with gay marriage in Massachusetts, California up second (I think there is still a ballot issue to consider, but I'm not sure) and the likelihood that NJ may go that one step further, other states may be motivated to move forward. I recall reading that NY's new governor is a strong gay rights supporter. Crossing my fingers (not that I'm ready to get married, but still).
DCup: As I recall, Schwarzenegger was always pretty cool about gay rights but turned to the right to get votes (there's a surprise). I don't expect that he will work hard to kill gay marriage. In fact, I think he will be a bit hand's off, at the least. GMB

[FranIAm]

Whooo hoooo!

[gmb]

Fran: We can't cheer yet. Certain "religious" groups and rightwingers are trying to get the California constitution changed to deny gays and lesbians the right to marry. I want to believe that this won't happen (I think it would have to be by way of a ballot initiative), but you never know. Personally, I think the tide is going out on these people, but they keep on trying. I will cheer when it is clear that they no longer have the resources and the will to continue. GMB

[Sorghum Crow]

Who knew the sound of hetero marriages collapsing all across the state would sound like crickets chirping.

[Matt]

Fran, it will take a constitutional amendment and the religious right is already circulating a petition that has over a million signatures. If they get enough validated signatures it will go on the ballot this year. Let's hope a lot has changed since the last time they voted on this issue. I believe it was 2000 but it passed with 62 percent of the vote. What scares me is I always thought of Cali as being very progressive. If it can't pass there, then where.

I still haven't found anyone that can answer the question "how does gay marriage affect your life".

Thanks.

Matt

[gmb]

Sorghum: And here I thought the problem was porn. Who knew that the gays were so powerful?
Matt: Scary, yes. I hope that since so many young voters are enthused about November (assuming, of course, that Obama is the candidate, which seems a given) and many of the religious right are not thrilled with McCain that maybe the odds favor a defeat for the ballot initiative. That said, nothing motivates the religious right like the opportunity to screw over and demonize the gays. What hateful bastards. GMB