Gay Marriage in California?

[Spensed]

So what happens when the good citizens of California go to the polls and make it a Constitutional amendment. They already voted it down once. Either they will feel corrected by the judges or pissed at being told they dont matter.

Will the Governator veto it again?
Will it pass or fail with more or less of a majority?

As was pointed out earlier, as Cali goes so goes the US legally.......What if it ends badly? Helluva setback at that point...

Of course since the North East already embraces the rights to marry in Mass and the right of civil unions already exist in Vermont, Connecticut and New Joisee. So I guess the Cali saying doesnt hold true.

Then again the bans are far more encompassing so maybe the saying is true:



^^ just to start some heated brain fires out there I will throw out a THANKS BILL.....I guess these are the great policies the gay folks for Clinton are working towards

The anti-gay-marriage initiative could go either way. The last poll I saw was 50:40 against gay marriage, although that had narrowed from eight years ago.

If the anti-gay-marriage initiative is passed, obviously, it would be a set back. But I suspect a temporary one. Younger people are trending in favor of gay marriage. So, just as a simple majority of voters can do one thing, so a simple majority can reverse it.

Plus my guess is that there will be consitutional challenges against the initiative, if passed, on one ground or another.

I think Bill Clinton was wrong on DOMA, but it's easy to forget the time and the circumstances in which it was passed.

Arguably without it the anti-gay movement would have been even more virulent and successful that it has been. The fact that DOMA was in place also played a role in derailing the Consitutional Amendment against gay marriage.

But whether it was a mistake or a shrewed political judgement call, it doesn't change the fact that Bill Clinton was the most pro-gay President we've ever had and that either Obama and Hillary are much more likely to carry that torch forward than McCain, who is, at best, indifferent and, at worst, openly hostile to gay civil rights.

 

[JayHawk]

Civil rights trump tyranny of the majority.

What if the good citizens of West Virginia went to the polls to vote down anti-segregation laws?

Sure they do when 39 states prohibit something though it sets precedent. Dont hold your breath for congress and the CnC to pass laws making equal rights actually equal. It aint going to happen soon.

BTW the question wasn't how angry can you get over injustice. The question is when the political machines power up and get the people of California upset over judges ruling by fiat then will they vote a for a change to their constitution?

I agree spensed with just about all you have to say on this matter.

 

[Backlum-Chaam]

The question is when the political machines power up and get the people of California upset over judges ruling by fiat then will they vote a for a change to their constitution?

The same way judges ruled "by fiat" to desegregate?

My interest in equality outweighs my fear of hurting the people of California's feelings.

 

[jockboy01]

It was quite the victory for sure. It wasn't a large victory (4-3) but an important one nonetheless. The key will be this november... will it make the ballot and how will people vote. The cities are pretty liberal, but the central valley is one of the most conservative places I've ever been. So it should be interesting. Half of me hopes it doesn't make the ballot so the risk isn't there. THe other half hopes it makes it and is defeated to renew faith of people... at least the people of this state. And I agree, that CA does tend to lead the nation on progressive issues (along with the NE). Take the smoking ban for example. It takes time, but eventually it makes it across the country.

And NickCole, I have to say I was disgusted to see you take such a great victory and again try and bring your obama bashing rhetoric in. As stated, Clinton and Obama have similar platforms on gay marriage. Let's keep this on topic about the great victory here in CA for once.