The Supreme Court of California voted 6-1 today to uphold a law which can only be described as one thing: discriminatory. The continuation of the ban on gay marriage in California is a sad example of the legal system being used to strip American citizens of the basic rights the Constitution is supposed to protect.The court backed its decision by saying that it doesn't have the authority to overturn the majority of voters who supported Proposition 8 back in November. However, opponents of the ban argue that the state constitution was altered in order to make the final decision, which resulted in the restriction of fundamental rights protected by the California state charter.
Interestingly enough, the court decided that the nearly 18,000 marriages which took place in California prior to Prop 8 would remain recognized by the state. Frankly, this apparent attempt at appeasing the gay community will do little to nothing to address the concerns of the gay rights movement. Protests are already planned in over 100 cities, and I have no doubt that new legislation aimed at overturning the ban will be speeding its way towards the ballots.
While I have no doubt that in time, gay marriage will be available nationwide, it is disturbing to see that people are still being influenced by ridiculous and offensive arguments against the gay community. Perhaps most pathetic are the "pro-family" arguments spearheaded by leaders of the anti-gay movement, including the Church of Latter Day Saints, which donated millions of dollars towards the Prop 8 initiative. It's no wonder that being gay continues to be a dangerous social taboo in so many parts of the country.It's time that the discriminatory and cowardly influence of the anti-gay movement is wiped away from American politics so that we can begin to move towards a truly free and equal nation.
One love,
Jeet
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