The California Supreme Court just declared the same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.

“In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship,” Chief Justice Ronald M. George wrote of marriage for the majority, “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.”

What a difference three years makes... (that's when the original suit was brought before the courts here in CA).

http://www.nytimes.c...arriage.html?hp

I cannot believe that. here's to hoping it won't get overturned.

The only judicial body which can overturn this decision is the U.S. Supreme Court.

However, there is a question of whether or not California voters will pass an initiative which will most likely end up on the ballot in November, amending the state constitution to reflect the idea that marriage is between a man and a woman.

I hope that the U.S. economy gets better before then, because as Obama rightly pointed out, people tend to stick to their "guns and religion" when times get tough...

pssh, I hide my gun in a bible- because I'm crazy!! "Gooooood bless america..."

About fucking time, I say!! I hope California will keep its repetoire of being one of the more liberal states in the union and not vote against this come November.

To me, I feel this issue extends beyond that of gay rights to one that is of civil rights.

It's embarrassing that something like this is even an issue at all in this day and age.

I'm hoping that, should Obama become the Democratic candidate, there will be a larger Democratic/youth turnout at the polls to keep the ban from passing...

It's pretty disgusting how people pretend that marriage is sanctimonious. The way people treat the institution of marriage is cheap and disrespectful, and if there were no legal rights involved, no one would care about the stupid tradition.

I'm proud to live in a country where being gay is as normal as being stoned.

I suggest you all to come to the Gay Parade. It's one of the best parties of the year.

hahaha! I work with a girl who is best friends with a gay guy, and they are going to a big gay parade this weekend which should be extra celebratory in light of the news yesterday.

I told her what you said Jeanie about how being gay is as normal as smoking weed for you Dutch folk, and she laughed her ass off.

Now she wants to visit Amsterdam :P

lol, well said jeanie...

I think I need to visit amsterdam one day

Amsterdam just rocks. And the Awakenings festival was absolutely phenomenal, so not only does it have awesome social politics, but experiences par excellence.

About fucking time, I say! Pooter's right - it IS sad to see people blanketing that marriage is this sanctimonial thing when people abuse it constantly. Back when I was in high school, a celebrity had this 24 hour marriage and a friend of mine said, "Oh, sure, THEY can get married. It was barely anything and same sex couples can't do it for real? Bull. Shit." Amen!

Yeah, Whirls, it is rather embarrassing. Silly America. ><;

Anyway.

So what will happen when a gay couple wants a divorce....will religous groups be championing them for the cause then.....

Its funny to be in the one part of a country where the provincal government is absolutely adamant against the whole idea. Then there is me here who is starting to feel like the only liberal in alberta. Heck, One of my gay friends is against the idea for the fact that he doesn't want any part of a society that has never accepted him and all the sudden changes their minds. kinda pesimistic but oh well. I think about this whole debate and think back to the American Dad episode with the gay republicans. rant over

I can see where your friend is coming from about not wanting to be socially shunned by a society, but not wanting change that would benefit not only him, but his community - I don't understand. I'm not gay so it's not my place to say how someone should feel or react to this - but to me it's not about a changing of minds - it's about progress and society moving forward. It would be interesting to read his take just to see where he's coming from and understand his points.

Allowing gay marriage (or civil unions) is practically about allowing rights.

The more I read, the more I find disturbing those who are anti-gay and the religious zealots' perceived ownership of the word "marriage". A legally binding union, or marriage, or legal partnership, etc. whatever you want to call it is more than just standing in front of a preacher and reciting wedding vows. stash and I didn't have a wedding, we didn't go to a preacher - we had a quickie 'you are now husband and wife' 4 minute ceremony (if you want to call it that) in a county clerk's office... in Vegas. And ever since that day we get to enjoy and utilize the legalities our union affords while so many others don't even have the option. I think that's wrong. Less than 100 years ago people were saying the same thing about blacks marrying whites in the US. I know I'm kind of ranting here but I'm really not directing at anyone in particular - just typing out blah blah's...