My thoughts on the California Prop 8 decision

In a decision handed down yesterday, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled California’s Proposition 8 ballot initiative denying marriage rights to same-sex couples in that state was unconstitutional. Here’s the money quote from Judge Walker’s decision:

“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis,the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”

For all those Constitutional experts out there who are vehemently opposed to same-sex marriage on a moral basis, just remember these words from the Declaration of Independence…”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” I guess those folks out there who support banning same-sex marriage believe the Founding Fathers had it wrong when they wrote that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness were inalienable rights.

Given the fact that I believe in equality for all our nation’s citizens, I’m happy with Judge Walker’s decision, though it will be interesting to see how this legal battle shakes out as the case continues to work its way up through the Federal court system and ultimately up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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2 thoughts on “My thoughts on the California Prop 8 decision

  1. How about you Zach, remember that Judge Walker Vaughn is an openly gay judge and was first selected by Reagan. Flies in the face of your single neuron thought process of the right hating gays.

    And don’t get me started on black civil rights and which side has done more.

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