Together

In a preview of next week's New Yorker cover, Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie watch coverage of the Supreme Court ruling knocking down the Defense of Marriage Act.  The Muppet duo have always portrayed a Felix Ungar/Oscar Madison-style straight "Odd Couple," but the illustration is still touching in its own way.

(New Yorker cover illustration by Jack Hunter)

How Tweet It Is!

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Q and A of the Day - DOMA Edition

REPORTER: Congresswoman [Michele] Bachmann put out a statement and she essentially said that the decision today cannot undo God's word. How do you guys react to that?

NANCY PELOSI: Who cares?

Indeed.

Historic Rulings on Marriage Equality

In two historic rulings today by the Supreme Court, each by 5 to 4 votes, the Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) an unconstitutional violation of the Fifth Amendment, and declared California's Proposition 8 law banning same sex marriages null and void.  The ruling on DOMA means that in States that recognize same sex marriage, benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples must be extended to same sex couples (i.e., spousal health benefits, etc.).  However, it doesn't require States not recognizing same sex marriage to change their laws to allow marriage equality.

We can expect the movement for marriage equality to be energized at the State level in those States that don't allow same sex marriage.  Now that the Court has ruled favorably on gay rights issues, and with public opinion becoming more supportive every year, the tide for equality and freedom has shifted dramatically and that should be cause for celebration by everyone.

UPDATE:  If you can stomach it, here's "Justice" Antonin "Tony Thumb on Scales" Scalia's hateful dissent on the DOMA ruling.   Our reactions:  1) Methinks he doth protest too much, and 2) he should be committed to a mental health institution.