CA Marriage Victory!

[QueerToday]

In a 4-3 ruling the California Supreme Court has ruled that the voter approved initiative used to block same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

California has become the first state to offer full legal equality to LGBT people.

The QueerToday.com team stands in solidarity with those who fight the radical right-wing's attempts to divide our community and deny us our basic rights. We congratulate those who may gain vital protections for their families and loved ones due to this victorious court ruling.

The QueerToday.com leadership has also signed Beyond Marriage, (http://www.beyondmarriage.org) a document supported by hundreds of leaders in the queer community. We strongly believe in working towards a broader, more social justice oriented agenda that addresses the needs of all families, combats racism, classism, transphobia, and all other forms of oppression.

During this moment of victory we must remember not to be complacent enough to think the right-wing will stop attacking our youth or gender variant people. We must not be fooled into thinking securing same-sex marriage rights will lower the rates of queer youth suicides, make youth safer at school, or less likely to be kicked out of their homes. We must remember to spread education and understanding about HIV/AIDS and the other issues affecting our community. And we must remember that issues of war and occupation and environmental destruction affect our community too.

Let's have our cake and eat it too - then let's continue the struggle for deep societal change that will lift us all up.

"Instead of presuming the validity of the statutes defining marriage and establishing domestic partnership, in effect the majority presumes them to be constitutionally invalid by characterizing domestic partnership as a 'mark of second-class citizenship.'" - California Supreme Court

"An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely. " - CNN

The current ballot initiative can move forward. Signatures will need to be verified, etc. then it could e on the ballot this fall. The governator says he will help fight it.

[Jeff & Dave]

We'll be working hard to fight any upcoming ballot initiatives. Join Marriage Equality USA at rallies across California tomorrow. Visit our website for more info www.marriageequality.org

[QueerToday]

Any further explanation of this ruling - and what it means for the ballot iniatives etc. would be much appreciated.

[Kitten]

This is awsome. 49 states to go

[QueerToday]

These sections of the ruling seem contradictory to me... no?? What does it mean?

The majority abandons this judicious approach. Instead of presuming the validity of the statutes defining marriage and establishing domestic partnership, in effect the majority presumes them to be constitutionally invalid by characterizing domestic partnership as a “mark of second-class citizenship.” (Maj. opn., ante, at p. 118.) This judicial presumption contravenes the express intent of the Legislature to equalize the rights of spouses and domestic partners.

VS.

We should allow the significant achievements embodied in the domestic partnership statutes to continue to take root. If there is to be a new understanding of the meaning of marriage in California, it should develop among the people of our state and find its expression at the ballot box.

[Andrea]

"California has become the first state to offer full legal equality to LGBT people."

Wasn't MA the first?

[QueerToday]

Nope - CA has trans protections.

[John Hosty-Grinnell]

This is a great day for our freedom, but an even greater day for the welfare of our future as leaders in equality.

[Steve]

Civil rights are becoming more true by the day! Only 3 Activist judges voted no:)
Come to Cali and I will marry you - "A minister for everyone" 707-449-3887