NYT Editorializes for Marriage

This morning the paper of record published a beautiful editorial in support of the California Supreme Court decision.

The California Supreme Court brought the United States a step closer to fulfilling its ideals of equality and justice with its momentous 4-to-3 ruling upholding the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The editorial also calls for support from the Presidential candidates:

Since the presidential candidates’ positions on gay marriage seem based more on tactics than principle, we do not expect them to shift ground. We would like to hear all of them support Mr. Schwarzenegger in opposing a constitutional amendment. Mr. McCain’s reaction that he “supports the right of the people of California” rather than judges to decide the question was not encouraging.

Perkins Gets Savage Beat Down

Openly gay columnist, author, husband and father Dan Savage had the unpleasant task of debating anti-gay Family Research Council President Tony Perkins last night on Anderson Cooper 360. Perkins is perhaps the most visible anti-gay advocate on the circuit right now and he is usually very effective in manipulating media; however, he was no match for the intellect of Mr. Savage.



The entire interview served as a microcosm for what we will see on a grand scale over the next six months. Perkins basically had little flash cards with pithy talking points on them that he pulled out at random: "Marriage is between a man and a woman," "Social science proves that children need a mom and a dad," "activist judges," etc. Savage proved though that the same old sound bites are no match for actual intelligent arguments.

Thank You!

This morning the California Supreme Court issued a historic 4-3 ruling that strikes down California's ban on same-sex marriage. This is a day that will forever be remembered in the journey toward equality.

Celebrate today, but we start the battle to maintain the ruling tomorrow.

Marriage in California!

California Court to Hear Marriage Case

Since this campaign season hasn't had Karl Rove to use the LGBT community as a wedge issue, this blog has turned out to be a lot more about Barack than it has been about LGBT issues. So, here is a detour from the campaign for some very exciting news.

The California Supreme Court has announced that they will hear oral arguments on March 4 in the marriage cases challenging the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage.

As a Californian, I am absolutely thrilled to see that it is our state's turn to hear the case for marriage equality. Bills that guarantee the freedom to marry have twice passed through the California legislation, but they have been vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger both times.

Late last year, this case received a significant amount of friend-of-the-court briefs from California municipalities, counties, and other advocacy organizations. The California people are ready for marriage, the legislature is ready for marriage, the cities are ready for marriage and we will find out soon if marriage equality will become a reality in California. The California Supreme Court typically issues its decisions within 90 days following oral arguments.

Since this is an Obama site, I will leave you with a statement of serious HOPE:

2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the California Supreme Court’s historic 1948 ruling that found it unconstitutional for the state to restrict access to marriage based on the race of the spouses. That ruling was the first of its kind in the nation’s history, and is now the law of the land across the country.

Read the whole story at Equality California.