The California Supreme Court ruled by a 4-3 margin, that Gays in California had the right to be married, and that the current Domestic Partnership simply wasn’t enough of a guarantee. Something I have said for a long time, something the Canadian Supreme Court made clear years ago up here.

California’s Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a state ban on gay marriage, paving the way for same-sex couples in the country’s largest state to tie the knot.

In a 4-3 decision, the justices ruled that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage. (source – CBC News)

Naturally I am happy about the decision, yet there are many who aren’t. One comment was noted asking if the Judges would soon grant the right for someone to marry a Kangaroo next, but then, hey, what do you expect from FOX News? Not much in my view, but the interesting note here, is that most of the appointed Supreme Court Justices are Republican Conservatives. Six in fact, and when you consider that it passed, it rather makes the claim of ‘activism‘ a bit moot.

I suppose the big question now is, what impact will this have on the Presidential Race?

The Republicans have used this as a wedge issue many times already. Now that we know that Barack Obama opposes DOMA[1. Defense of Marriage Act] in its total, and that Hilary Clinton only supports the repeal of certain sections, it could become an issue, but I wonder, will John McCain bite? Will he abandon his quest to appeal to moderates, in order to satisfy the more rapid of the Conservatives in the Republican Party, such as Pastor John Hagee?

Stephanopoulos observed that Obama’s support for a repeal of DOMA and McCain’s need for independent votes in the fall may make the ruling a “political wash” on the campaign trail as the two likely contenders engage in a “conspiracy of silence” on the controversial issue. (source – ABC News)

It would be nice if they did sort of just, ignore this issue, but then I also believe in the Tooth Fairy still. I guess the truth is that people are afraid of giving meaning to the words of the Bill of Rights, and to the US Constitution, when it goes against their own beliefs. Doesn’t sound much like Democracy to me, but hey what do I know?

I mean I pay my taxes, vote, serve on Jury Duty when asked, and earn a decent living, and oh yeah, I live with my partner, have for over ten years, and yes my partner is a HE. We both look after my 91 year old mother, so what is it about us, that makes so many want to refuse other’s like us the right to be happy, to be a full partner in society?

I don’t know how many Gays in the United States want to be married, but I don’t think any of them are asking that the Pope or Cardinal Mahoney marry them. They simply want to take advantage of all the perks and pitfalls that goes with being legally married. It doesn’t mean they want to seduce every young kid under eighteen, or have a special class in schools telling kids to try being Queer, they simply want to be able to care for each other, when the need arises, legally, without the hoopla needed if they are simply a civil union.

The argument that could be waged, is that Obama is allowing the Judicial System to determine what marriage is or isn’t. Now I don’t know, but why is that wrong? I mean we have Judges just for the  purpose of keeping law makers in line. Their role isn’t to make laws, but to insure that the laws passed are fair, equal, and without prejudice. If they didn’t do that, would Blacks be able to Vote today? Would Women be able to Vote today?

Barack Obama wants to repeal all of DOMA for that simple reason. Let each state decide, but the Federal Government has an obligation to its citizens, not just a select few. Even the US Constitution and Bill of Rights makes that clear, and when lawmakers like George Bush, Mitt Romney and Bill Clinton fail those documents, it is the COURTS OBLIGATION TO SET IT RIGHT. That is what the California Supreme Court did today, in respect to California.

Maybe it should be an issue this election. To me, and to many other minorities, this isn’t about some fag being able to legally shag their partner. It is about being treated equally under the Law, irrespective of our differences from the Majority. And that certainly SHOULD BE AN ELECTION ISSUE.