Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Oh Happy Equality Day!
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June 26, 2013 at 3:09 pm #608004
HawkeyeParticipantSo wonderfully Seattle, bells from one of the churches up the street began ringing moments after the word that DOMA was struck down.
From Harvey Milk and before, to our West Seattle neighbors Jane and Petee and the voters of Washington state and those continuing to go forward, so many have worked so hard for so long for this day that promises to bring us closer than ever to true equality in this land. Thank you for standing strong and moving us all forward.
Let the rainbow flags fly!
June 26, 2013 at 3:59 pm #792304
The Velvet BulldogParticipantBreathing a sigh of relief, jumping for joy, and putting away some money for all the wedding gifts I’m now going to have to buy for my fabulous friends. ;-)
MARRIAGE EQUALITY!!!
June 26, 2013 at 5:34 pm #792305
WFMemberyes equality is now the law of the land.
June 26, 2013 at 6:10 pm #792306
kgdlgParticipantWoke up really happy today and even happier when I read the news! This is a big big deal for my family and our country.
But, WF, just so you know, equality isn’t actually the law of the land. Prop 8 was sent back to the State based on procedural grounds, thereby upholding gay marriage only in California. A true “law of the land” ruling would have been to find that marriage is a civil right for everyone, gay or straight, thereby making it legal in California and Alabama.
Don’t get me wrong, I am ecstatic about DOMA and gay marriage in Cali, but it may be a long long time before we see this right available to everyone across the US.
June 26, 2013 at 6:12 pm #792307
furryfacesParticipantMarriage Equality at the Federal Level. This is a great day for all people of our Nation.
June 26, 2013 at 6:14 pm #792308
B-squaredParticipantI predict even MORE rainbows today!!!
June 26, 2013 at 6:15 pm #792309
WFMemberand now everyone gets to pay the marriage penalty equally (taxes are higher for married people who both work)
June 26, 2013 at 6:45 pm #792310
kgdlgParticipantWhile I am actually excited about filing as married vs. domestic partners (don’t even ask about that nightmare), I am far more excited by the fact that we now get rights of survivorship on things like Social Security and military pensions. This is a very big deal given the loss of pensions to fund retirement for my generation.
June 26, 2013 at 7:16 pm #792311
WFMemberthe legal issue should have been dealt with years ago; in europe people have used the term civil unions for years that provides all the legal ties for estate, taxes and survivor-ship without arguing over terminology.
June 26, 2013 at 7:37 pm #792312
skeeterParticipantThese really are historic times. Can anyone recall an issue that has had such a perception change so quickly?
In November 2008, Californians voted 52.2% to 47.8% in support of Prop 8. My guess is if there was a revote today, it would be more like 17% for and 83% against. Has there ever been an issue with such a rapid change in thinking? I’m too young to remember.
June 26, 2013 at 8:10 pm #792313
SmittyParticipantIs this the same Supreme Court that was being lambasted yesterday?
Are they still nuts?
My, how 24 hours can change things……
(I agree with this ruling btw)
June 26, 2013 at 8:37 pm #792314
The Velvet BulldogParticipantSmitty: I’ve been wondering about the seemingly bi-polarity of SCOTUS. They’ve made some decisions recently that I don’t happen to agree with, and that I don’t feel are in the best interests of people, or our humanity. So, when SCOTUS came out with today’s ruling in favor of gay marriage, I felt a huge sense of relief for my own friends who are in long-term gay relationships, because I didn’t think SCOTUS would actually get us there.
June 26, 2013 at 9:19 pm #792315
kgdlgParticipantHey folks, gay marriage is only legal in 12 states, plus DC and five native tribes.
This means that despite having access to federal benefits as a WA State married couple, couples in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, etc. etc. do not have these same rights. What this means is that in WA I will have access to my partner’s social security, should she die early, but couples in non marrying states will have no such rights. Same for service men and women that reside in states that don’t allow marriage. No military pension for them if their partner dies in service.
It is indeed a happy day, but there is a lot of work ahead of us in terms of national equality.
June 26, 2013 at 9:47 pm #792316
skeeterParticipantkgdlg – couldn’t the couple in Alabama travel to Washington for a couple days, get married, and return to Alabama? If the Federal Gov’t recognizes the marriage in WA it wouldn’t matter what Alabama’s marriage laws are. I think that would work…
June 26, 2013 at 9:48 pm #792317
wakefloodParticipantSmitty, I think this is the most “activist” SCOTUS in at least 75 if not 100 yrs. (Save that which upheld the underpinnings of the New Deal.) These guys & gals (since CJ Rehnquist)are all about legislating from the bench.
Look at all the 5 to 4 decisions over the last 15 yrs. If not for the “conservative” – and I use that term advisedly – majority, a WHOLE BUNCH of important laws would be different than they are today. One simple vote and this country looks ALOT different. One shining example: Bush v. Gore. Kennedy (who fancies himself as the “swing vote” to be courted) screwed himself into a pretzel to get a Bush majority. Guy couldn’t even make his statement consistent with his other rulings. Completely sold out.
Anyone who thinks this court is all about originalism – whatever that even effing means as virtually every decision they make regarding the Const. REQUIRES an interpretation of it – isn’t looking at their arguments with a clear eye.
These guys are unelected political operatives, plain and simple. That one or two decisions out of DOZENS seem to provide them some cover (ACA & DOMA), doesn’t change that fact. They’re supposed to be the apolitical branch of our system. They are anything but.
June 26, 2013 at 9:51 pm #792318
B-squaredParticipantPerhaps the supremes feel they need to legislate from the bench since congress couldn’t legislate itself out of a paper bag.
June 26, 2013 at 9:54 pm #792319
kgdlgParticipantSkeeter, that is not how it currently works. Here is an article in the Stranger today on how it could happen really easily though, come on Obama!
June 26, 2013 at 10:02 pm #792320
wakefloodParticipantB2: Riiiiight. GOP obstructs/silently filibusters EVERYTHING except anti-woman, anti-ACA legislation and that makes it ok for SCOTUS to change the whole system, cuz they have a 1 vote majority?
I gotta’ ask you what green dispensary you get your scrip from!
June 26, 2013 at 10:08 pm #792321
wakefloodParticipantB2: Oh, and thanks for confirming that the “originalism” is a total crock and that these guys actively legislate from the bench. Scalia seems to think people still believe his schtick.
June 27, 2013 at 1:13 am #792322
JoBParticipantit’s still a good day for same sex married couples..
not so good for the homeless.. the Supremes ruled that the city of LA has the right to destroy the unattended property of the homeless …
i think without process.. but don’t quote me on that one. this is a migraine day…
edit…
boy did i read that one wrong.. thanks to the kind person who privately pointed out my error
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless-belongings-20130625,0,7106702.story
June 27, 2013 at 3:13 am #792323
SonomaParticipantToday: a big step forward for gay rights.
Yesterday: a horrible plunge downward for voting rights.
June 27, 2013 at 3:40 am #792324
JayDeeParticipantJune 27, 2013 at 6:06 am #792325
HMC RichParticipantHello. As a conservative I find the courts ruling constitutional. These are states rights issues. I never thought DOMA was a good idea.
Unless all state legislatures (or judges in those states) legalize marriage for same sex couples, gay couples will not be recognized in states that have not passed same sex marriage legislation.
There will be many court and legislative battles.
KGDLG understands the ramifications but many of you are slightly misinformed, which makes me believe that some of you are not aware how the government actually works. But you can learn if you want to.
Realize too the voting decision decided yesterday also advocates states rights over federal rights. Sonoma, I disagree with the second part of your statement and I side with the court on that too.
June 27, 2013 at 2:47 pm #792326
B-squaredParticipantWakeflood – apparently my tongue-in-cheek didn’t translate well.
My main point was that SCOTUS can accomplish things (good and bad) while our “do nothing” congress continues to posture and bicker amongst themselves.
June 27, 2013 at 2:59 pm #792327
wakefloodParticipantI’d take the cynical humor with a chuckle if it was truly a bi-partisan cause. But it ain’t, and to presume it is, only perpetuates a dangerous and really upsetting habit of false equivalency. And if you listen to the few “centrist” R’s, they’ll tell you it’s not imagined.
I really do have a sense of humor, just not about something as serious as a hugely effed up system. People who hate gov’t are breaking it. On purpose. What is the finest system of governance devised in history is a shadow of what it once was, or indeed could be. If there was any shame left, these guys would feel it and walk away. Instead they’re emboldened by their power and greed.
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