Again, great day for marriage equality, especially in California:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a ruling that has the effect of making same-sex marriage legal in California again but leaves intact bans in other states and avoided reaching the merits of whether gay marriage is constitutionally protected.
It’s a pyrrhic victory for marriage equality advocates because the Court did not recognize a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry. Instead of settling the issue once and for all, the ruling on procedural grounds means the generational fight will continue in the states.
In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court dismissed California’s Proposition 8 because the petitioners lacked standing, or the right to participate in the case. That means a lower court ruling that overturned the ban remains in effect. The outcome means other states remain free to allow or prohibit gay marriage, leaving intact the bans on gay marriage in dozens of states. - TPM, 6/26/13
And Governor Jerry Brown (D. CA) is wasting no time reversing the awful decision voters made at the polls back in 2008:
http://www.latimes.com/...
Usually, the governor and state’s lawyers defend state laws in federal court, but both Gov. Jerry Brown and Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris refused to defend Proposition 8.
Several sponsors of the ballot measure stepped in to defend the law, but there were questions about whether they had legal standing to represent the state in court.
A Supreme Court decision is generally final after 25 days. The 9th Circuit would then presumably lift its hold on Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s injunction against Proposition 8.
Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to enforce Walker’s order statewide and allow same-sex marriages to resume, possibly late next month. - Los Angeles Times, 6/26/13
Governor Brown tweeted his announcement this morning:
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
"The effect of the district court's injunction is that same-sex couples will once again be allowed to marry in California," the notice said. "But they will not be able to marry until the Ninth Circuit issues a further order dissolving a stay of the injunction that has been in place throughout the appeal process." - TPM, 6/26/13
Supporters of Prop 8 have threatened to continue to fight against marriage equality so this fight may not be over. But today is a historical victory not only for the LGBT community and the state of California but also for the whole country. Thank you Governor Brown for wasting no time on this issue.