A sweeping federal court verdict invalidating California's ban on same-sex marriages moves America closer to its ideals of respecting individual freedom and treating all citizens equally under the law.
I am the mother of 1998 Wyoming anti-gay hate crime victim Matthew Shepard and I am a member of the advisory board of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which filed the legal challenge to the ban in May on behalf of citizens denied marriages by the 2008 law narrowly approved by voters.
The plaintiffs in this case are law-abiding, family-oriented, tax-paying citizens whose privacy was invaded, and whose dignity was affronted, by a misguided and unconstitutional law.
Their victory at trial shows that our courts still play a vital role in safeguarding the rights of minorities from majorities who misunderstand them. But more importantly, it proves the power of personal stories. Equal marriage rights are ultimately about people's families, and during the trial, their personal need for legal recognition of their relationships came through loud and clear.
After Matt came out to me, he once asked me if I thought gay couples would ever be allowed to get married. I told him I didn't think it would happen in my lifetime, but it probably would in his. It's so sad, and ironic, that it turned out the other way. But this case warms my heart, to think that his dream is still coming true.
My husband Dennis and I established the Matthew Shepard Foundation in 1998 after our son's murder in Laramie, Wyoming, to honor him in a manner appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations. Our Foundation seeks to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance through its educational, outreach and advocacy programs. We will always continue to tell Matthew's story.
Judy Shepard: Creating Matt's Legacy
Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph. D.: Prop 8, Judge Walker and the Biblical View of Marriage Equality
Rabbi Michael Lerner: Why Jews Should Rejoice at the Overturning of Prop 8
Like abortion this issue should be a personal matter and decided by each family, community and State, assemblies, and not at all left to a judge or a.few judges.It will be a sad reflection on society if some good people are rejected at the next election, only on the basis of their views on abortion or same sex marriage.
Why can't three people marry and/or persons with animals? My pet goldfish & I are close...
The Federal government was granted specific, limited powers with most power being granted to the states. Marriage laws, rules, etc. have always been one of them.
The fact that a Fed jurist saw fit to rule on what is a state issue speaks volumes to the disregard Judge Walker has to the rule of law, and our Constitution.
I would further point out that this ruling, by one person, seeks to nullify the wishes of the voters in the State of California. And, not suprisingly, LIBERALS ARE REJOICING.
This is what it is always about: The Progressive agenda and using the Judiciary to advance it when it fails via other methods.
Many clamor for the government to stay out of "women's reproductive health" decisions, but don't say a peep about government intrusion when dealing with non""women's reproductive health" decisions.
Not very consistent.
Anyhow, marriage is a sacrament, why is the government even in the business of marriage liscenses???
This guy should have steped aside.
First of all, intelligent animals don't always know what to do by built-in responses. They have to be taught. In addition, there is plenty of evidence of same-sex behavior among animals. Look up Bruce Bagamihl's book "Biological Exuberance"or Joan Roughgarden's "Evolution's Rainbow."
Building an argument from assumptions about what is natural is usually more about personal likes or dislikes. Not about scientific evidence. Does this defense of natural include eating a mate like spiders and praying mantises? Does it include abandoning offspring in the way of most male mammals?
Perhaps gays and transgenders are an evolutionary bonus. Since it takes a minimum fourteen years to raise a child, non-reproducing help is useful. Think about what it was like for the original hominids to cope.
Non-breeders also would have time to notice things. Like which plants had curing effects. Or the way the stars look when flood season arrives. Or how to make even the rawest plant fibers and animal skins look fabulous with the right accent bone or application of red ochre.
Gays, lesbians, transgenders are known as two-spirit people. Called to shamanism. And in later times, called to religious life-- including Christianity.
Gay people have known abuse and create loving homes, to allow them to marry is just what a loving God would want.
Get the courts out of the bedrooms of America!
How can that be? Well, if this ruling stands (as it should) that means that now all people, regardless of their creed, nationality, race, religion, and now sexual orientation will ALL now be treated equally... which makes my marriage as bright or happy or as miserable as any other.
Calling the bands of love (regardless of whether we are talking one of each or both of the sexes) anything less than marriage (since that is the prevailing name to call it) is no less a slap in the face than not allowing women the right to vote or being able to own another human being!
The loss of Matthew Shepard will always weigh heavy on my heart and the hearts of everyone who responded to his story. Take some solace in knowing this ruling likely would not have happened so soon without his sacrifice.