Gay-marriage ruling may ripple to California

Mercury News ^ | Feb. 04, 2004 | Michelle Guido

[calcowgirl]

The Massachusetts Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for the nation's first same-sex marriages by ruling that anything less than full, equal marriage rights for gay couples is unconstitutional.

"The Massachusetts high court has required the state Legislature to remedy what they have determined to be unconstitutional discrimination against same-sex couples," Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, said Wednesday. "Massachusetts must now allow for the issuance of marriage licenses, and that's exactly what my bill would do."

[goldstategop]

Our mistake was in not amending California's Constitution to derail Mark Leno's bill. We should put one on the ballot to overturn it in the event it becomes law and to prevent the California Supreme Court from striking down our defense of marriage act.

[Carry_Okie]

Our mistake was in not amending California's Constitution to derail Mark Leno's bill. We should put one on the ballot to overturn it in the event it becomes law and to prevent the California Supreme Court from striking down our defense of marriage act.

Given the current composition of the court, that is a very unlikely event.

[goldstategop]

Perhaps but judges like to be trendy and be admired by the cultural elite. If you asked me 10 years ago if gay marriage would be legalized in Massachusetts, I would have said it was unthinkable. And look what happened.

[Pro-Bush]

Guaranteed it will be in CA. ..Yuk!

[calcowgirl]

Our mistake is tolerating people like Mark Leno in the legislature. I'd like to see the domestic partnership legislation overturned... I believe it conflicts with the intent of Proposition 22... even though they found a way around the fine print. Legislators who boldly ignore what the majority of people want and introduce ridiculous bills should be put out on their keesters. (Leland Yee and his Feng Shui comes to mind).

My family has been in California since 1917. For the first time, I have been considering leaving.

[goldstategop]

Mark Leno represents the Bay Area. With the types he represents, fat chance he'll be voted out of office. Considering the number of gays in San Francisco, he's just doing what his constituents want, the rest of California be damned.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

At some point the sluggish Constitutional Amendment process may, at both the state and federal level, rectify this - but by that time there will have been a tidal wave of gay marriages in Massachusetts and elsewhere. I'm not sure what kind of limbo those marriages would be in - I don't think they would be nullified by the amendments. This is a hell of a mess.

[tioga]

Judicial activism is a serious threat. When will Americans wake up and see what is happening? Bush is struggling with judicial appointments, we need to give him a Senate majority and this year.

God defined marriage by it's very purpose -- it takes a man and a woman to create life, man in his arrogance thinks he can redefine this. We will regret this failure to protect the sanctity of marriage, just as we regret the loss of the sanctity of life through abortion and euthenasia.

[Post Toasties]

Regardless of whether the Massachusetts Legislature acts in response to Wednesday's decision, same-sex couples will be able to marry in the state as early as May.

Do the clearly out of control Massachusetts Supremos regularly dictate the legislative agenda in that state?

[goldstategop]

You won't recognize America by the time the liberals are finished making her over.

[goldstategop]

Yes, the Mass Supremes make laws at their own whim. An elected State Legislature is superfluous in that state.

[tioga]

Liberals use judicial activism to redefine this country into what they want, what Americans will not vote for they simple accomplish with the judiciary. If and when Americans wake up and realize the liberals run the democratic party then the dems will be gone as we know them now. And it IS happening. Will it be soon enough, this next election should tell us something.

[Viking2002]

You can be sure that the Californicators will glom onto this ruling in a heatbeat. Is seem like MD, CA, MA, and NY all seem to be vying to be the catalyst that finally tears this country in two.

[Caipirabob]

I figured the health insurance cartels would be the ones most opposed to this. Think of the hit they are going to take with all the germ-swapping taking place in this community. Oh wait, we'll ALL be expected to pay for it. WHAT was I thinking?!?

[randita]

Since this is law in MA until or unless a state or federal Constitutional amendment overturns it, will pastors be forced under the law to marry gays even though their religious doctrine does not allow it?

And if these pastors refuse, will the tax exemption of the church be rescinded because the church is discriminating?

This decision has far reaching tentacles into the hearts of many of our institutions. I wonder how many people realize that at this point.

[sr4402]

Don't forget that CA has "Propositions" and that in getting enough signitures, it gets put on the ballot. Now be assured the the CA Supreme Court would probably do the same, and so would the 9th Circuit as MA. But what it would do would wake up the American family like a Sleeping Giant.

We've been asleep at the wheel, and the enemy is coming right at us. Pray for the Children, they are the target of the enemy. Pray for intervention from the Lord and repentance for us. For God will not ignore the cries of the children much longer.

[StonyBurk]

One solution would be found expressed in Federalist LXXVIII
by Hamilton --who cites Montesquie--the intent of the Judiciary as given in the Constitution --was that it would
be the weakest --and less threatoning branch of the govt.
having no power unless granted such by the legislature,and
or executive.Our public schools NO longer teach Americans how to be American citizens. As Rev. Samuel West preached
in a sermon before the Conneticut House of Representatives
and Council in 1776 :"On the Right to Rebel" we have a right
even a duty to resist leaders who no longer serve God.Our
founders had a very clear idea of the Rule of Law/right and wrong. We must reclaim it -- or lose it.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - SOCIOLOGY - MARRIAGE - SODOMY