Showing posts with label Supreme Court rules on same sex marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supreme Court rules on same sex marriage. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Polling on Voting Rights and Marriage Equality

It appears that not only does the arc of the moral universe bend toward justice, but so does the American public -- and it's not even close.   From the latest ABC/ Washington Post poll:
Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the U.S. Supreme Court’'s decision providing legally married same-sex couples with the same federal benefits given to other married couples?
Approve: 56
Disapprove: 41

Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the U.S. Supreme Court'’s decision striking down a key part of the federal law overseeing voting rights for minorities?
Approve: 33
Disapprove: 51

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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.