California Gays Get Green Light to Marry
Justice and equality have finally been served by the courts of California’s Supreme Court. In a long overdue decision, the California Supreme Court decided on May 15th, 2008 that banning homosexuals from marriage was unconstitutional (in regards to the California state constitution). Prop 22 has effectively been overturned. Chief Justice George wrote:
In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual’s sexual orientation — like a person’s race or gender — does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights.
As a gay individual and a Californian, this ruling was particularly impactful in ways that I find hard to describe. I have always known that this direction of equality was the right direction and yet constantly I listened that laws were being passed against it. Growing up with American ideals of justice and equality become dim when one knows that their own equality has been trampled upon by the federal government, state government and fellows citizens. Learning about the struggle of African Americans and women to earn equal standing, it only made sense that something like gay marriage fits into the same ideals of equality.
Year after year the opposite continually happened. State after state passing anti gay marriage laws. The federal government passing anti gay marriage legislation. All of these pieces never made sense when I was continually taught about the rights innately guaranteed to American citizens by the Constitution. I consider the U.S. Constitution one of the most innovative and powerful documents ever written. Its amendments continually instilled ideals of equality for all citizens, protecting these equal rights. Day in and day out, the struggle for gay equality in marriage has fought for this.
Yes, this is a state victory, which shows that nationally a bigger objective still needs to be conquered, but the power of a California court decision goes far. Knowing that my state’s Supreme Court has finally acknowledged the equality of a minority, that I am a part of, becomes very powerful on a personal level. It feels like there is finally a group of people of stature who understand something that I have understood for longer than I can remember; American citizens are born equal and have innate rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Stepping into the Castro district of San Francisco tonight, I found streets shut down and a celebratory party conducted on the city streets to celebrate a victory for California, a victory for gays, and ultimately a victory for the country. We are a country that has always put ideals of freedom and liberty on the forefront of American life and this is a step needed to display that there are Americans who continue to believe in these vital elements of the United States.
Watching a large gathering of citizens celebrate this victory in the streets of Castro was simply amazing. Those in long lasting relationships can finally receive the same recognition and benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. Single or not, everyone on the street was able to feel that they really are an equal part of society and not only deserve, but will be treated by the government on an equal level.
Feeling equal is a very difficult feeling to describe. Feeling the relief that the Court recognizes my individual rights to equality is hard to describe. However, celebrating this victory is easy to describe; simply amazing!
The battle continues through to November as select Californians, rather select Americans, work to embed discrimination in the California state constitution. There is no place for discrimination in this state or in this country, particularly in the written Constitution. This nation has thrived on being at the forefront of liberty and justice and to continue this ideal, every citizen must be treated equally under the law.
(Photos provided by The Ryan Thomas Collection. All rights reserved.)
I can only imagine the energy in the Castro District last night, it must have been exhilarating. I thought to myself, what could I possilby compare this to. The first thing that came to mind was if I was alive in 1919 and finally as a woman being given the right to vote…being recognized as “equal”.
Usually I do not like copy cats but in this case I hope other states take note!
Congrats!!!
It sucks that they are trying to change the constitution but there is hope. In Massachusetts they anti-gay lobby tried the same thing and failed because the Supreme Court said it is unconstitutional to add that to the constitution.
Obviously we have different constitutions but hey maybe the same will happen CA. Hopefully it wont even have to come down to that. I may need to keep my CA citizenship until at least the 5th though.
If the state Supreme Court found Prop 22 unconstitutional I really don’t see how the vote in November can even be justified. I’m hoping that the Supreme Court is smart enough to step in again and stop the amendment from even making it to the ballots!
It’s going to be great gay weekend!