Prop 8 battle not over
Gay rights activists in California are jubilant after a US federal court judge has struck down the state ban on same-sex marriage.
However, opponents of gay marriage say they will appeal the decision.
US District Court chief judge Vaughn Walker found banning gays and lesbians from marrying was discriminatory and in violation of the US Constitution.
Gay marriage was an issue for Californians in the 2008 election, where a majority voted in favour of Proposition 8, a move to ban gay marriage in the state.
Reuters reported a cheer went up among same-sex marriage supporters carrying rainbow flags outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco.
However, Judge Vaughan has stayed his ruling until Friday to give Proposition supporters time to appeal, meaning that same-sex marriages will still not be performed again in California until higher courts have heard appeals on the case.
Protect Marriage, a coalition of religious and conservative groups will appeal the ruling at the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, with the case likely to end up in the US Supreme Court for a final verdict.
A decision at the US Supreme Court could have national implications.
Reacting to the win, Australian Marriage Equality’s Alex Greenwich congratulated marriage equality advocates in California on their hard work.
“The Californian decision, coming on top of marriage equality in Argentina and Portugal, and imminent debate on the issue in Chile, Uruguay and Nepal shows how the tide is changing towards support for marriage equality,” said Greenwich.
“As a marriage equality advocate I am celebrating the global movement towards equality for same-sex couples, but as an Australian I am deeply embarrassed our country is lagging further and further behind.”
Greenwich criticised Tony Abbott for his self declared “old fashioned” views about marriage and Julia Gillard’s “crystal clear” opposition to full equality for gay and lesbian Australians and the claim that the Marriage Act hadn’t changed “throughout the ages”.
“Australian marriage law was not handed down by Moses on a stone tablet,” said Greenwich, “It has changed to allow divorce, recognise interracial unions, give women equal status, and to provide legal protections to de facto partners.”
“It must now change again to reflect the fact that a majority of Australians believe all loving, committed couples should have the same legal rights and responsibilities, including the rights and responsibilities of marriage.”
Remember same sex marriage is not effective yet in California still – you still have to wait!!!!
I bet you 100 percent that bigots, skinheads and the Mormon and Christian Taliban will appeal this decision in quick hast!!!!
Gay marriage is excellent for all parts of society, I am still yet to hear an excusable, reasonable, justifiable explanation as to why gay marriage should be banned!!!!!??????
Homophobia, bigotry, hatred and “anti-gay marriage rhetoric” is a cancer in our society and must be eliminated!
Also this quote:
“The Californian decision, coming on top of marriage equality in Argentina and Portugal, and imminent debate on the issue in Chile, Uruguay and Nepal shows how the tide is changing towards support for marriage equality.”
What about Iceland allowing gay marriage from 27 June 2010 – Did SSO forget Iceland????
Editor’s Note: Paul, we suggest you re-read the story. It is a direct quote from Alex, and we are not in the habit of altering quotes to suit.
Chile will not have gay marriage [just like us here in Australia], because there is no support for it politically speaking and not forgetting that Chile is an extremely conservative catholic country!!!!!!
Note:
If Nepal does allow gay marriage, it will be the first in Asia and Australia will be the only continent on earth [that is inhabited by people] to ban gay marriage – now that’s a thought on how stupid, silly and embarrassingly behind we are here in Australia in 2010!!!!!!
Luxembourg, Finland, Nepal, Uruguay and Slovenia will be the next countries to allow gay marriage over the next 2 years!!!!
Denmark, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria have extremist right-wing governments in power, so forget about gay marriage in these countries (but they do have civil unions or registered partnerships) – until left-wing or center-left-wing win power to form government in those countries in elections, gay marriage is still a pipe-dream (just like here in Australia)!!!!
The great march towards full equality creates a road we all can follow and gives us hope.
This is about people being excluded from an important social institution for no reason except their sexuality. Historically people have had Same-Sex Marriages, it is only in recent history this has not happened
We will fight homophobia where ever it is. We will remove this Evil one battle at a time and always together. Soon we will be a free people.
Brilliant. Thankfully people are prepared to standup for equality, even where opposition is strong.