]> http://leapingdolphin.com Leaping Dolphin @ leapingdolphin.comQueer Politics en http://whippersnapper.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/how-hard-a-fight-will-gay-marriage-be/ Kevin Drum looks at some survey data and the results from California 2000 referendum banning recognition of out-of-state and international gay marriages and is pessimistic: In 2000 Californians voted to ban same-sex marriage by a margin of 63%-37%. If attitudes toward gay marriage have followed their historical pattern, about 9% more Californians are in favor of it this year, which means they’d still vote to ban it, but by the smaller margin of 54%-46%. In other words: this is likely to be v Thu, 15 May 2008 23:16:59 -0500 http://theordinarymystic.com/blog/social-change-seen-in-gay-marriage-in-california/ Once again, California shows itself to be among the progressive states as the Supreme Court takes a stand for social change. Thu, 15 May 2008 23:07:14 -0500 http://www.qoae.net/posts/1210904921.shtml "[T]o the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional." So sayeth the California Supreme Court. Because this decision was based on the constitution of California, the only way to change this ruling is an amendment to the California constitution. So, for now, it looks like same-sex couple in California finally will have their marriages recognized. Will there be a constitutional amendment on the ballot, in Nove Thu, 15 May 2008 23:01:44 -0500 http://scienceblogs.com/tfk/2008/05/marriage_equality_in_californi.php California is set to join Massachusetts as a hotbed for equality: Same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The court’s 4-to-3 decision striking down state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman makes California only the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriages. The decision, which becomes effective in 30 days, is certain to play a role in the presidential campaign. “In view of the su Thu, 15 May 2008 23:01:17 -0500 http://www.freshnews.in/californias-top-court-legalizes-gay-marriage-26767 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s Supreme Court declared that gay couples in the nation’s biggest state can marry - a monumental but perhaps short-lived victory for the gay rights movement Thursday that was greeted with tears, hugs, kisses and at least one instant proposal of matrimony. Same-sex couples could tie the knot in as little as a month. But the window could close soon after - religious and social conservatives are pressing to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November Thu, 15 May 2008 23:01:17 -0500 http://vanishingamerican.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-ruling-is-no-surprise-gay-marriage.html This ruling is no surprise: Gay marriage legal in California SAN FRANCISCO - A deeply divided California Supreme Court said Thursday that California's ban on gay marriage is not legal, a move that sent off wild cheers and celebration in San Francisco but one that will face new fights from opponents of same-sex marriage. Under court rules, the ruling does not take effect for 30 days, lawyers involved in the case said, and opponents of gay marriage said they would ask the court to stay its decis Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:51 -0500 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/us/15cnd-marriage.html?em&ex=1211083200&en=d6eabe87b7e2d22f&ei=5087%0A The California Supreme Court, striking down two state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman, ruled Thursday that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The court’s 4-to-3 decision, drawing on a ruling ... Thu, 15 May 2008 22:57:00 -0500 http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2008/05/california_goes.html To no one's surprise, the militant moonbats running the courts in the Land of Fruits and Nuts have declared that homosexuals can become legally married. Liberals have been laboring mightily to destroy the family, the foundation of human civilization. This should be a major victory for them. However, by attempting to make a mockery of marriage, Californian kooks may be holding only themselves up for derision. If decent people still constitute a majority in the state, a constitutional amendment Thu, 15 May 2008 22:48:32 -0500 http://nospeedbumps.com/?p=1512 Why do we need legislatures when the courts can make our laws for us? The latest example: The California Supreme Court, striking down two state laws that had limited marriages to unions between a man and a woman, ruled on Thursday that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. … “In view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship,” Chief Justice George wrote, “the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to Thu, 15 May 2008 22:47:58 -0500 http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2008/05/today-on-cmr-may-16-2008.html These Hidden Rights Are Killing Us —Judges "Discover" rights that would destroy us. Liberal Catholic Group Calls For Alien Ordination —Church is Silent on extra-terrestrial rights! CA. Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban —What the blogs are saying Movie About "Pope Joan" Set for Release —Get ready for Female Ordination arguments! Get Off Your Priestly Duff —Where are the Ordinary Minsters of Holy Communion? Blair Says Christianity Can Save the West? —Now he says it! What Did Sean Penn Mean? — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:47:11 -0500 http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2008/05/liberal-catholic-group-calls-for-alien.html In light of yesterday's ruling by California's Supreme Court which declared same-sex marriage legal, a question occured to me. How come all these "rights" that liberal secularist judges miraculously "find" in the Constitution would doom us all. Roe V. Wade was the first right that was made up...I mean "found" that was hoped to be "safe, legal and rare" giving it the distinction of being the first "right" that everybody supposedly hoped nobody would use. Quick quiz: How many other rights have Thu, 15 May 2008 22:42:27 -0500 http://blogs.salon.com/0001883/2008/05/15.html#a809 Great news from California! The California state Supreme Court ruled today that domestic partnership is not equal to marriage...that by giving them different names, it tends to indicate a lower status to gay relationships. Chief Justice Ronald George wrote: "...particularly in light of the historic disparagement of and discrimination against gay persons, there is a very significant risk that retaining a distinction in nomenclature with regard to this most fundamental of relationships wh Thu, 15 May 2008 22:41:05 -0500 http://dilan.blogspot.com/2008/05/gay-marriage-ruling-probably-not-ideal.html THE GAY MARRIAGE RULING: PROBABLY NOT IDEAL, BUT IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS Today, the California Supreme Court decided that the equal protection clause of the state Constitution requires that marriage, if it is offered to straights by the government, must be offered to gays. I am sure there will be plenty of mostly predictable commentary about the substance of the decision. Personally, I find this decision to be less compelling than a similar decision in Vermont Thu, 15 May 2008 22:40:40 -0500 http://jamison.vox.com/library/post/meanwhile-on-the-steps-of-the-california-supreme-court.html The SF Chronicle was at the courthouse for the California Supreme Court ruling today for reactions. You can spot San Francisco City Hall, where all of this began four years ago, kitty-corner in the background. California Gay Marriage Ruling Thu, 15 May 2008 22:39:13 -0500 http://andweshallmarch.typepad.com/and_we_shall_march/2008/05/the-california.html I'm here only for a flash. What the state Supremes did today was great! However, in 2000 more than 60% of California's electorate approved an amendment to the state Constitution defining marriage as a union between one man + one woman. In other words, eliminating gay people from the equation. Prop. 22 was also called "The Defense of Marriage Act." Because these people never give up in their zealous need to deny rights to other folks, currently there is an initiative widely expected to qu Thu, 15 May 2008 22:38:51 -0500 http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/05/screw-will-of-people-california-judges.html When does one person's vote count more than 36,000,000 other people's? When that one person is a judge. Today, by a 4 to 3 vote , the California Supreme Court set aside Proposition 22, a law restricting the use of the term 'marriage' to refer to the union of one man and one woman that was passed by a whopping majority of 61% of the voters back in 2000 to reinforce state law's pre-existing ban on same-sex marriage. Here's the irony; the states Domestic Partner legislation gives same sex cou Thu, 15 May 2008 22:38:51 -0500 http://lloydletta.blogspot.com/2008/05/kudos-to-sen-linda-higgins-and-rep-jim.html Earlier this year it passed 43-22 in the Senate. Geoff Michel (who is in a district that would favor this legislation) voted no. Both house members in the district - Ron Erhardt and Neil Peterson, voted yes. The vote in the Senate is one vote short of being able to override a Governor's veto. Geoff Michel said at a public forum I was at, when I and others challenged him on his support for the Bachmann amendment. He said he supported Civil Unions, just not gay marriage. So his vote is contrary to Thu, 15 May 2008 22:30:38 -0500 http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121089440635197017.html Just when the news was filling with stories about a Republican Party gasping for air, along comes the California Supreme Court's 4-3 decision yesterday legislating gay marriage. The GOP certainly hasn't done anything to deserve such luck. Recall how ... Thu, 15 May 2008 22:07:00 -0500 http://www.targetrichenvironment.net/?p=1669 California Voter-Approved Gay Marriage Law Overturned Posted on May 15th, 2008 by BadIdeaGuy. Filed in gun issues. No comments posted. I don’t much care about gay marriage*, (* though I believe the end-game of the “equality” groups is not simply to be able to sit at a partner/spouses bedside in a hospital, have inheritance, share benefits, or the common themes as much as it’s about ultimately forcing the rest of society, including places of worship, to accept their lifestyle. It’s so that Thu, 15 May 2008 20:17:02 -0500 http://texasfred.net/archives/1188 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California’s Supreme Court declared gay couples in the nation’s biggest state can marry - a monumental but perhaps short-lived victory for the gay rights movement Thursday that was greeted with tears, hugs, kisses and at least one instant proposal of matrimony. Same-sex couples could tie the knot in as little as a month. But the window could close soon after - religious and social conservatives are pressing to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that Thu, 15 May 2008 20:15:58 -0500 http://www.blackshards.com/wordpress/?p=1008 The California Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision in favor of allowing same-sex couples to marry is an unfortunate rejection of Christian morality.  Glen Greenwald points out that it’s hardly unexpected given the state’s precedents before going on to say that the democratic process in California legitimizes the ruling, a claim of dubious accuracy, as demonstrated by his source material.  All that said, I think it’s the correct ruling for the same reason as John McCain as does. McCain opposed the Fe Thu, 15 May 2008 20:11:21 -0500 http://www.byron-harvey.com/2008/05/15/another-reason-to-elect-john-mccain/ Today’s horrible ruling by the California Supreme Court illustrates the absolutely essential nature of electing John McCain president, even if it means, as it will for many of us, squirming our way into the voting booth and gnashing some teeth to vote for him. The kind of judges who render a ruling such as the one today legalizing “gay marriage” in California are judges who believe in judicial activism; i.e., making law from the bench instead of interpreting law. They brazenly flip the bird to Thu, 15 May 2008 20:11:12 -0500 http://www.pghlesbian.com/blog/_archives/2008/5/15/3693076.html California Ban on Gay Marriage Struck Down by Sue on Thu 15 May 2008 09:10 PM EDT From CNN.com The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orientation, like race or gender, "does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights." In a 4-3 120-page ruling issue, the justices wrote that "responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation." "We therefo Thu, 15 May 2008 20:10:54 -0500 http://poplicks.com/2008/05/huge-day-for-civil-rights.html Kate Kendell. Hero. Today's unexpected California Supreme Court decision in In re Marriage Cases is equally magnificent and monumental. The impact is far more than symbolic. For starters, I imagine that today will be a record day for California couples becoming formally engaged. As I think of all my friends who move a step closer to full equality as a result of the opinion, I stand at the edge of imagining what it might have been like in 1954 to hear about Brown v. Board. By far, the most Thu, 15 May 2008 20:07:24 -0500 http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1827   “IT’S A MUCH QUICKER AND LIGHTER GAME; YOU CAN RUN THROUGH THE COURSE WITH ONLY ONE CLUB,  AND BE FINISHED WITH THE WHOLE THING IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES.”         ———————————————————————————— BLOGWORTHIES: Speaking of Iraq, Jon Perr with McCain’s Broken Iraq Crystal Ball Sees Troops Home by 2013. Lisa Casey with the ‘Democratic Dream Team’. FOX News as the BuzzFlash Media Putz of the Week. California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban, at One Good Move. The Most Embarrassing Mome Thu, 15 May 2008 20:07:20 -0500 http://range.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/california-overturns-gay-marriage-ban/ In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court of California has overturned a ban on gay marriage. Thu, 15 May 2008 20:05:04 -0500 http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2008/05/catholic-bishops-react-to-ca-supreme.html Ned Dolejsi, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, released the following statement on behalf of California’s Bishops and the California Catholic Conference, following the California Supreme Court’s decision declaring the state’s Defense of Marriage Act (Proposition 22) unconstitutional, thus allowing same-sex marriages to take place in California: “The California Catholic Conference of Bishops must express its disappointment in the California Supreme Court decision to decl Thu, 15 May 2008 20:03:03 -0500 http://samaw.com/same-sex-marriages-become-legalin-california/469 With California Supreme court ruling 4-3, Homosexual marriages or gay marriages or still same sex marriages are now legal in California, couples with same sex marriages will have all the same privileges as that of traditional marriage between a man and a woman. California’s top court has ruled that a state law banning marriage between same-sex couples is unconstitutional. The state’s Supreme Court said the “right to form a family relationship” applied to all Californians regardless of sexual Thu, 15 May 2008 19:53:55 -0500 http://www.byron-harvey.com/2008/05/15/more-freedom-lost-the-farcical-california-gay-marriage-ruling/ First, the dubious news: California Court Overturns Same-Sex Marriage Ban Note, of course, the comments by buffoons Nancy Pelosi (D-Pyongyang) and Ted (Burp!) Kennedy. “Gay rights” groups hailed the decision, of course, as a step forward in freedom. It was, of course, nothing of the sort. Rather, it was a huge step backward for Californians, every single Californian, homosexual or not. To arrive at this illogical and preposterous ruling, the California Supreme Court usurped authority not i Thu, 15 May 2008 19:53:15 -0500 http://www.mindonfire.com/2008/05/15/newtons-are-fruit-cake/ At the top of Google News at 1230 today (I heard about it from some blog or another) was the news that the California Supreme Court passed down a ruling today that Proposition 22, which was approved by 61% of voters in 2000 was unconstitutional, causing an infringement upon the basic rights afforded to all residents of this state. Immediately, right-wingers submitted their million signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November (you know, the presidential one?) ballot to change it Thu, 15 May 2008 19:46:08 -0500 http://marriage.families.com/blog/gay-marriage-legal-again-in-california Gay Marriage Legal Again in Californiaby Courtney Mroch In what some will see as victory and others defeat, the California Supreme Court made history today when it overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage. What Does It All Mean? First and foremost, there are a lot of gay couples rejoicing right about now. Thu, 15 May 2008 19:44:26 -0500 http://colettesgrave.blogspot.com/2008/05/california-court-strikes-down-gay.html California Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban : NPR California Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban : NPR Yay! Thu, 15 May 2008 19:37:49 -0500 http://news.ccpblogs.com/2008/05/15/sen-demint-butts-in-on-calif-marriage-decision-insults-lgbt-families/ Sen. DeMint Butts In On Calif. Marriage Decision, Insults LGBT Families May 15, 2008 – 7:32 pm California’s Supreme Court (which has six of seven judges appointed by Republican governors) decided the state’s law against gay marriage was unconstitutional. The state will now begin marrying gays and lesbians in 30 days. Sen. Jim DeMint apparently had time to burn today and thought he’d give his useless 2 cents. “Marriage is America’s most important institution and it must be cherished and prote Thu, 15 May 2008 19:32:24 -0500 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/16/content_8182199.htm LOS ANGELES, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The California Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a voter-approved gay marriage ban, paving the way for same-sex couples to get married. The 4-3 ruling by the Republican-dominated court affects more than 100,000 same ... Thu, 15 May 2008 18:54:00 -0500 http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=82502&videoChannel=1 May 15 - The California Supreme court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages, ruling it unconstitutional. Massachusetts is now the only U.S. state to allow gay marriage. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont permit same-sex civil unions ... Thu, 15 May 2008 18:54:00 -0500