Neither decision is all that surprising, to be honest. DOMA almost had to be overturned simply because of the legal issues it causes, and Proposition 8 was ludicrous to start with.

twas still closer than it should be, the Prop 8 decision was 5-4, and I'm not sure how it went with DOMA, but I'd think it'd be along the same line

Oh, that was 5-4 too.
And yeah, sorry I dunno all the ins and outs XD
Its only from starting to look into this activism that I start learning more about courts and laws and how they work and everything, so I'm still a newb with that x3

It's okay. I don't actually know all that much myself, but P8 took away a previously granted right and DOMA trampled on States' rights.

They haven't even tangled with the part where contracts-in-one-state-aren't-valid-in-another part. Just the part where the Feds can't just disregard marriages.

Oh I know. It will only get more asinine from here, with states left and right either trying to undo the bans or enforcing them to death.

Yeah, I'm really wondering about the one that bans any benefits or considerations by private parties for domestic partnerships.

How it reads is that it makes it illegal for my insurance company to cover my spouse and I as spouses if we travel through them. That the sort of bizarre thing that shouldn't happen.

It shouldn't, but unfortunately it has happened before with interracial couples. People like to say it isn't the same thing but really it is. Sooner or later it's going to be dealt with, but I think the Supreme Court could have saved everyone a lot of headaches and money by simply saying it's discrimination to ban same-sex marriage or block benefits for same-sex couples.

I just hope all turns out well for you and your spouse.

So nice to see sanity prevailing for once... One more tiny step towards making the world less hateful!

Yeeeesh x333
We still have to win state by state, though, as we'd hoped it would've been a more sweeping ruling, that marriage was a constitutional right, but even still, now each place that we win ensures *complete* equality and federal acknowledgement for that state.

so far we have what 11/50?

13/50

I think 14 now technically, as we're getting California back I think.

im pretty sure we never subtracted california though

we kinda had to, since though they got it, Prop 8 subsequently took it away

its 13 i looked it up and technically not only 10 till july first when the 11th state law goes into effect and august first when the 12th and 13th goes into effect

Oh okay derp xP

hey you were closer lol X3

Next stop? TEXAS xD

Somewhere, Cigarskunk, Crusader Cat and Ralph Hayes are crying bitter tears of impotent rage.

GOOD.

I don't mean to dampen your celebratory mood or anything, but I do have a question.

I never asked any of my real life gay friends this question, because its always been the "taboo" topic between us, but why is it important for a Union Between two members of the same sex to be called Marriage?

If Civil Unions and Marriages both have the same exact rights, other than the fact that one has ties to religious beliefs to many monotheistic religions, why does it matter? I grew up in a devoutly Conservative Christian Neighborhood, probably even less lenient than most protestant denominations. As a result, though I have become increasingly middle of the road moderate in my political beliefs, mainly because I found it hard to rationalize those things with some real life situations.

As a result I have not been able to well... really understand the "fight" to have such civil unions be called Marriage, since I've been taught, ever since I was a child, and through the history books that I have read, that Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. Divorce IS a sin, but we are sinful creatures so... well .. it is another difficult issue that plagues western society. But anyways that is besides the point.

I hope to receive dignified answers rather than personal attacks to my opinion, beliefs, and/or intelligence.

Thank you.

I do have more to say, but I'd rather wait and see if there CAN be a civil discussion first.

Well, see, the thing about the terms with Civil Unions and Marriage, is that it keeps putting in the notion that same-sex couples are intrinsically different in some way, seperate-but-equal, and how people recognize or see that. People can end up looking down upon it, seeing it as not a 'real' marriage in ways.
Hell, I actually see it more as a step-up from cohabitation/srs-dating, but not a fully recognized marriage. Civil unions also do not have the full benefits of federally recognized marriage, which thankfully, with DOMA taken down for the most part, the states that have marriage, it can give it to those couples, as well as military couples (of which I am one half of one now).

Marriage itself only has religious meanings to those who choose to attach them to it, because either way you spin it, you have to have a civil marriage certificate/license before you ever marry in a church or synagogue or mosque or other house of worship, and civil marriage has been what the community has been shooting for the entire time.
Marrying in a church is always and will always be left to the church's discretion (contrary to what the fear-tactics spreading anti-gay groups constantly peddle).

People too can believe, and will always be able to believe that marriage is between one man and one woman, but actively working to enshrine that in the law is forcing their beliefs onto others in a way that infringes on the rights of others, whereas ensuring marriage equality does not force a guy or a girl to marry another someone of the same sex.

I see. Thank you.

While I am all for acceptance of what is quickly becoming the new normal (no pun intended for that canceled show), I am one of those people that are concerned that this whole push for gay rights, feminism, and even the continued existence of "No child left behind" / whatever that term is (that literally forces institutions, whether work or school, to hire minorities even if, objectively speaking, someone that isn't considered a minority has much better credentials and/or is cheaper than someone who is a minority,) won't stop at what would be objectively considered equal.

As a History major, there is no doubt in my mind that the old status quo heavily favored white patriarchal society, is wrong by today's standards, but what I worry about is the destabilization and the continued divide of Americans. The Question "What is America" has never been more murky. I don't know, it is hard for me to simply let go of the world I grew up with instead of accepting that, that world has transformed and been hypnotized into becoming something else entirely.

well, its because people are becoming more aware of the fact that women and gays are in fact people too, and need to be treated as such. Women are becoming primary breadwinners in some households, but in some jobs are paid less than a man would be paid in a same job, and likewise you could be fired, or denied housing or services or even worship for being gay (Catholic church went there really badly).
I can't say much on the minority-hiring, I believe that's supposed to be in place so that a minority who IS qualified won't be overlooked for their minority status, but I too don't think its right to hire someone different JUST for the diversity, it should be diverse AND qualified.

The thing is, America is supposed to be different, it has always been a melting pot of different colors, religions, cultures and ideas, and that's what makes it great. The other thing is, we as human beings thrive on change, we're an ever-changing being in terms of interests, paths, beliefs, etc, and people trying to dig their heels into the ground to prevent that prevents self-growth in the long run. It prevents one from expanding their horizons and learning more about the world around them, which is critical. The only divide coming up, is from people who stubbornly refuse to see the world changing around them and think that its possible to drag it backwards in time, which just can't happen.
Honestly I understand it in a sense, that its fear that is motivating this. In my heart, I'm always been afraid of change, I was raised religiously (a common theme in these situations), and could not deal with change at all, I only ever wanted things to stay the same, even now, where I constantly bemoan new situations. But as I learned, I can't stop things from happening or change reality, but I can change my understanding of things, and learn to accept them and move forward. Its still a struggle at times, because sameness and forwardness aren't just involved in political happenings, but emotional, psychological, etc.
I'll answer the note stuff next xP

The one constant is that things change. If things are destabilizing politically it's because voters are voting for extreme candidates. The gerrymander is certainly to blame in some cases, but in others people end up giving in to despair or apathy and not voting, allowing the vocal minority to outweigh the the silent majority.

A large part of the reason things like Affirmative Action were put in place was not originally to make a quota but to ensure that talented folks who happened to be non-peach would get hired. Unfortunately, it's become something of a "you must hire so many people of this minority group" thing that has little to do with the talent of the individual. Naturally, this has lead to some resentment. Unfortunately, unless companies were forced to hire minorities, they would not do so voluntarily. Oh, some would but on the whole most would not unless forced.

The same is for the push for women and people who are not heterosexual. I think some people feel like they're being attacked or that their values are being eroded, but it shouldn't be a zero-sum game of power when it comes to treating people with decency.

The legal basis is separate is not legal. There are thousands of laws that use the word 'marriage' etc and not 'domestic partnership'.

A it stands, not only are government benefits given unequally, so are taxes and tax credits. In most states, a child in a same-sex marriage cannot be a dependent or legal ward of both parents. These couples even get charged extra taxes on the <i>value</i> of family health care for partners and children not theirs, whereas everyone else gets those tax free.

And this doesn't even get into the fights that have developed in each new federal law where Republicans have stalled legislation because included wording to be inclusive of gay couples. If the language is the same, then that can't happen.

I guess it isn't as simple as I'd like to say, since I can go on and on about it.

Another example would be that violence and harassment is higher against groups in places where the law legally allows those group to be separated or marginalized.

*Final fantasy victory fanfare*

Good news is always good.

My spouse and I got legally married on July 1st, which was coincidentally our 15th anniversary. ^-^

-Crissa

aawww congratulations! Here's to 15 more!