A loss in California

Posted on May 26, 2009 by feministhousewife

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The California Supreme Court has decided to uphold Prop 8.  Thankfully, the 18,000 same-sex couples already wed in California will remain that way, but no future same-sex marriages will be permitted.

This is a crushing blow.

For purposes of clarification, this case was not about whether or not the California Supreme Court wants to let same-sex couples get married – this case was about the legality of Proposition 8: 

  • The supporters of equal rights who brought the case to the CSC argued that the Proposition should be overturned because taking the right to marry away from same-sex couples would require a revision of the state’s constitution, and revisions cannot be made by a popular vote (the process is more complicated). 
  • Supporters of Proposition 8 argued that banning same-sex marriage was an amendment to, rather than revision of, the state’s constitution, and therefore was possible through a popular vote. 
This means that the Supreme Court ruled today that Proposition 8 was an amendment to the state’s constitution rather than a revision, and threfore stands.  While this doesn’t change the fact that same-sex marriage is now illegal in California, it does shed some light on exactly what the Court decided today, and I think that is important to know.

Visit DayofDecision.com for details on protests taking place around the country today if you feel compelled to speak out and stand with others to express your disappointment in this decision. I hope all of us attending will remember that while we are justified in being angry and have a right to speak out, peaceful protests will be most beneficial to our cause.


Posted in: Gay Marriage in CA, current events, equal rights, gay stuff, gay weddings