There are been some advances in gay and lesbian equality recently. These include the Ninth Circuit Court ruling that California's Proposition 8 in unconstitutional, the signing of marriage equality laws in the states of Washington and Maryland, a federal district court in San Francisco ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, Maine activists getting a marriage equality ballot measure on the ballot for November, and even the New Jersey legislature passing marriage equality, although the governor vetoed the bill. Those are all positive signs, but...
This is where I keep getting stuck on the but (no pun intended). None of these positive advances are permanent or assured. The laws in Washington and Maryland are being challenged and will likely end up with a popular vote to overturn the laws this November, both court decisions can be overturned by higher courts (and let's be honest, our current Supreme Court is not one that seems to value individual rights - after all, corporations are also people according to the court), and Maine may vote not to have marriage equality. So although I recognized the importance of all these advances, I would like to see a permanent advance that won't potentially be overturned in court or at the ballot box.
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In a worst-case scenario you just need to be patient. Public opinion has been gradually shifting in favor of gay marriage. Young people, even in conservative states, overwhelmingly support it. Those who fight against equal marriage rights are on the wrong side of history.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It has been said that you never allow a majority vote for the rights of the minority - the minority always loses. It's going to take some high level federal rulings with wide application to make the Supremes take notice and vote the way they should.
ReplyDeletePeace <3
Jay