In a landmark decision yesterday, Proposition 8, the ruling in California that deemed gay marriage illegal, was deemed unconstitutional.
In Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s historic ruling he wrote,
“Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment. Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents…the evidence shows that Proposition 8 harms the state’s interest in equality, because it mandates that men and women be treated differently based only on antiquated and discredited notions of gender. Moreover, the state cannot have an interest in disadvantaging an unpopular minority group simply because the group is unpopular. A private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples is not proper basis for legislation.”
In response to the court’s decision, Jarrett Barrios, President of The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said,
“More and more Americans are supporting equality, and it is the stories of same-sex couples that are leading that charge across the nation. Today’s decision comes after same-sex couples from across California shared their personal stories with Judge Vaughn Walker and the public, helping to show that all loving and committed couples – straight and gay – should have the same opportunity to take care of and be responsible for each other. We urge media to highlight the couples impacted by today’s decision to grant them the liberty and equality upon which our nation was founded.”
This is a huge achievement but it’s not quite time to break open the bubbly and celebrate yet as it still must go through the appeals process. I just don’t understand what the problem is with gay marriage. If two people love each other and have a commitment to one another, they should be able to express those vows the same way straight couples do rather than facing discrimination. Detractors say that marriage belongs between a man and a woman. I say bullshit; gender shouldn’t dictate love or marriage. Gay marriage will not ruin the institution of marriage; if anything, I believe that it will make it stronger. Still others worry about children, what will happen if an LGBT couple adopts or gives birth to a child? I say as long as a child lives in a nurturing home with loving supportive parents, then what more do they need. While I’m relieved I live in Massachusetts, the first state in the country to legalize gay marriage, I want all couples across the nation to have their civil rights’ recognized and be treated equally.
In reaction to the ruling, the San Francisco Chronicle quoted Shelly Bailes, “who has been with her partner, Ellen Pontac, for 36 years.” Bailes said,
“A battle won is a battle won. Today isn’t the end, but it puts us one step closer to giving us full rights.”
The Opinioness 
I’m very much in favor of the legalization of gay marriage, as it’s absolutely none of my business who’m is with who’m.
I do believe it gets a bit trickier, with young children involved, though.
At that age, children take in & process everything around them, though they do not possess the maturity to make sense of it all.
People don’t take into account just how confusing the situation could be for a child.
I also wish this issue could be resolved, so we could move on, as a country.
The economic collapse, the lack of jobs, the business’ folding all around us…
That should be priority 1.
It is heartbreaking & frightening to see so many out of jobs, to see no end in sight to the erosion of he economy.
But that is another topic, altogether.
Children adjust to what is normal in their world. My nephew, when he was younger, asked his parents when they were going to get divorced because all his friends’ parents were divorced. There was no judgment in it, just curiosity. My roommate as a child thought the lunch ladies at school were married because they were both named Mrs. Rogers (they were mother and daughter in law.) Megan is right; happy childhood homes are more important than anything else and knowing that your parents have a stable, long-term, legal relationship must be reassuring.
Although the overturning of Prop 8 is exciting, it isn’t enough. Gay and lesbian couples still can not legally marry, even though it is now not “illegal” to do so. At this rate, Brad may never make an honest woman of Angelina (remember that they will not marry until gay and lesbian couples can.) Judging by the sales of STAR magazine, that’s what people really care about.
I guess my perspective was influenced more, by my own childhood.
I was a sensitive kid, and i needed that sort of structure, where each parent had a role.
I don’t know if i could have adapted to having two nurturing figures, like my mom, or two Dads (God forbid! Just kidding,Dad).
I needed that balance, somehow.
But those were different times.
And i do agree a strong, loving foundation is the most vital component in developing functional, productive adults.
My motto is (and has always been):
Why behave in public, when your living on a playgrooooouuuund…
Julian, things weren’t too awkward for Staci Keanan, fathered by gay Paul Reiser and gay Craig Evigan.
And, by the way, I think she turned out pretty damned good!
I remember watching that show, though i never realized the two Dad’s were actually partners in a gay relationship!
I guess it stands to reason, but it just never ocurred to me.
I don’t remember too much about Staci Keanan, but i always liked Melissa Joan Hart.
She was Clarissa on Nickelodeon, then she morphed into the hot witch, Sabrina, on ABC’s Family Friday Nights.
I used to fantasize that i was her cat, “Salem,” slipping in & out of her room, at will.
I’ve noticed she has a brand new show coming up, with Joey Lawrence, from TV’s “Blossom.”
Big fan of Clarissa, always had a crush on her. That new show with Joey Lawrence looks terrible though. He’s one of those inexplicable guys that seems to have a full head of hair and yet he is constantly shaving it down. As George Costanza says: “that’s like using a wheelchair for the fun of it!” Bottom line, He looks weird.
Thanks everyone for your comments! @Beepy, I completely agree with you. @Julian & @Brian, how the deuce did a discussion about gay marriage turn into a conversation about the merits of “My Two Dads?!” Hilarious!
Just finished watching the back to back episodes of Melissa Joan Hart’s new series, “Melissa & Joey.”
I thought the pilot was pretty bad, and grudgingly watched the second episode, with low expecations.
But the second episode was hilarious!
Both actor’s seemed much more natural, and some of the humor was a bit more “adult” and risque.
Melissa’s character tries to score with some “stud” from her political job, but it turns out he’s just using her for work related favour, and he’s gay!
So it all ties in nicely to this blog, in a strange way.
And Melissa Joan Hart at 34 is SMOKIN’!