Let me state at the outset that I don't like the idea of state initiatives determining marriage equality. This is a matter of civil rights; to my mind, antigay laws are the same as the anti-miscegenation laws of the last century. Civil rights shouldn't be up to majority rule; they should be guaranteed at all levels of government and protected through the court system. Despite the braying of the "Christian" Right, we live in a constitutional democracy - with the Constitution (both state and federal) protecting the rights of all even against the majority.

Nevertheless, it's encouraging to read that the unequal-marriage initiative put forward by antigay bigots in California is losing by nine points, 51%-42%. People are finally figuring out that equal marriage does not cause (a) earthquakes, (b) economic disaster, (c) the collapse of marriage everywhere, or (d) fireballs from the sky. And they're figuring out that gays and lesbians deserve the same right to marry the person they love as straight people do.

Perhaps there is hope for us after all...

Labels: California, GLBT Rights, Politics

California Legalizes Gay Marriage, Does Not Fall Into Ocean

I just checked the front page of the LA Times, and California remains high and dry just as before. This despite their legalizing gay marriage, an act the antigay bigots assured us meant that California was now on God's hit-list.

It's great seeing all those pictures of happy couples whose relationships are finally getting the legal recognition it deserves, but sad to see so-called "Christians" standing outside county court-houses with signs proclaiming hate. My message to them: Protest all you want, but please don't insult the rest of us by claiming that Jesus wants anything to do with your hate and bigotry.

Labels: California, Christian Right, Christianity, GLBT Rights, Politics, Religion

Today, I'm proud to say I'm a Californian, even if I only lived there for four years.

The CA Supreme Court did the right thing and ruled for marriage equality, confirming the right of all people to marry the man or woman of their choice.

In doing so, CA follows the lead of Massachusetts, who affirmed gay marriage several years ago. And I'm sure the CA Supreme Court was emboldened by the MA decision. Contrary to the bloviations of Christian Right nutjobs, Massachusetts has not collapsed into a sea of anarchy, nor has it been struck by a meteor, a hurricane, an earthquake, or any other form of natural disaster. In fact, since they legalized gay marriage, teams from MA have won the World Series twice. (Maybe that's what reversed the Curse of the Bambino.)

Now we need the other 48 states in the Union to follow California's lead. Time to make marriage equality the law throughout the United States of America. Illinois should go next; if they legalize in the next few months, maybe the Cubs will win the Series this year.

Labels: California, GLBT Rights, Politics