The fight for the rights of same-sex couples to marry the person of their choosing goes before the Supreme Court today, in a battle that could change the nation’s thinking as we know it.
Today, the Supreme Court will finally tackle the issue of equality in marriage — deciding if the old argument of marriage being ONLY between a man and a woman is truly valid or unconstitutional. With the country so split on the issue, the court’s verdict will assuredly make one side ecstatically happy and the other completely defeated.
Currently, there are roughly 120,000 same-sex couples who are legally married in the United States. Nine states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex couples to marry, while a dozen others recognize “civil unions” or “domestic partnerships” that grant some of the same benefits without full marriage rights. But 29 states have adopted bans on same-sex marriage to their constitutions, including California, which is the issue the Supreme Court will face.
In 2008, California allowed its citizens to vote if same-sex marriage should be allowed in the state or not. Californians passed Prop 8 and decided not to allow it, which is a huge basis for the current Supreme Court case. Supporters of same-sex marriage are arguing that states do not have the right to vote against equality. They can not vote against racial equality, nor can they vote against marriage equality. Both are unconstitutional.
Today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on California’s Proposition 8. Tomorrow, they will take on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Their decision is crucial to a country that has become much more accepting of same-sex relationships in recent years, but still has a faction of religious and moral zealots who staunchly oppose it.
This country has come a mighty long way, in recent years, in accepting SGL (same gender loving) people in our society ….and it's primarily because of YOUNG people. Young people have truly led the way on this issue. This *kinda sorta* reminds me of another time of Historical significance…when Young people Courageously stepped up and made the difference. When all seemed to be failing, it was (mostly) YOUNG Americans_Young Black Americans in particular_who put their lives on the line and led the way in the NON-violent fight for Civil Rights/Equal Rights for ALL Americans, INCLUDING "the Negro." Dr. King was only in his mid-20s when he took on his leadership role. So too were many his fellow partners, his staff and his followers, Young adults. Fast-forward to 2013: Most young people believe…indeed now most Americans believe…that Same-Gender-Loving people should be afforded the same *Rights* as ALL American including the *Right*… Read more »