Calif. Supreme Court rejects gay marriage ban

[~krakatoa~ 27]

MSNBC staff and news service reports

updated 41 minutes ago

SAN FRANCISCO - In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot.

Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3 in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.

Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as news spread of the decision.

"Our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation," the court wrote.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march.

"Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody — not just in the state of California, but throughout the country — will have equal treatment under the law," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco.

link to the story

[Jenn! 918]

ZOMG all the straight people are gonna start marrying their friends so they can get tax breaks and insurance!

[♥JP♥ 5]

ZOMG all the straight people are gonna start marrying their friends so they can get tax breaks and insurance!

Interesting...never looked at it in that light.

[dalegg 143]

ZOMG all the straight people are gonna start marrying their friends so they can get tax breaks and insurance!

No, I know most of my friends would be the type to stop putting out and pay less attention to me once we tied the knot. It wouldn't be worth it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's about time that the discrimination ends. 50 years ago, it was illegal in some states for people of different races to marry. It was viewed as immoral and disturbing the peace. We've gotten over that nonsense and we'll get over this current nonsense as well. Backwards folk will put up their fight -as they always have - but they'll lose in the end. As they always have.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I don't understand why there's such an issue with this. I realize there are some religious arguments against it (made mostly by conservative Republicans), but wouldn't it make more sense, from a political standpoint, to allow this to happen so the Democrats couldn't use "gay marriage" as a weapon?

[Amby 490]

I think it's fab-o!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Bravo.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I think it's fab-o!

Been watching Animaniacs again, haven't you?

[Amby 490]

I think it's fab-o!

Been watching Animaniacs again, haven't you?

omg I loved that show when I was little!

now back to the topic!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I don't understand why there's such an issue with this. I realize there are some religious arguments against it (made mostly by conservative Republicans), but wouldn't it make more sense, from a political standpoint, to allow this to happen so the Democrats couldn't use "gay marriage" as a weapon?

Republicans actually benefit from this. They keep putting gay marriage bans on the ballots to ensure that their conservative base shows up at for voting. FL already has a gay marriage ban but we'll see this issue back on the ballot in November nonetheless. They say the ban isn't tight enough yet and this decision in CA will give their argument more steam and will help them get their folks to the ballot box.

[SaadBell 0]

I think gays should be allowed to marry and enjoy all the fun that comes with the whole package. Nagging, complaining, ungrateful children and the wonderful holidays with the in-laws, why should people like us not want some poor soul to have the same good times. If we have to suffer, I mean, be happy, than they deserve the same rights.

[sj5 4]

it would be nice for tax purposes

[peejay 327]

Just another example of legislating from the bench. The vast majority of American society at large does not support this nonsense. It's mostly a White, upper class, yuppie, cause celebre. Put it to a popular vote and it would be defeated hands down.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

Well I for one think this is a fantastic development.