Gay marriage ban overturned in Calif.

Constitutional initiative drive under way in state to restrict unions
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC staff and news service reports
updated 12:35 p.m. CT, Thurs., May. 15, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.

The justices released the 4-3 decision Thursday, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.

"Under these circumstances, we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest," the court said in a majority decision.

"Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

The cases were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march, which took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.

An initiative drive is under way in California to change the state constitution to restrict marriage to members of the opposite sex.

This breaking news story will be updated.

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive

And this is an issue because...?

I posted last year or so - but it is a truly harrowing experience to have the President of the United States, Leader of the free world and representative of MY country - come out and publicly and relentlessly declare that YOU are do not deserve to have the same rights as real citizens. In fact YOU are an abomination.

*Does not believe federal, state, or ANY government should regulate marriage.*

LOUISIANA'D!

In Alabama, you can't buy...uhh..."toys."

I feel your pain. His dad said I don't deserve to be a citizen.

Also, go California and stuff.

Texas too.

it's been compared to the decriminalization of interracial marriage.

meh, good for cali, it's just sad that it really won't change anything.



wait, what?

"No, I don't know that atheists should be regarded as citizens, nor should they be regarded as patriotic. This is one nation under God." - American Atheist reporter Robert Sherman alleges that Bush said this to him at a campaign stop in 1986 or 87. This quote has never been corroborated by another individual.

Google "George Bush" and "Robert Sherman."

I live in Washington State, and we have a law on the blue books that prohibits any sexual position other than missionary. Good thing I'm flexible and long, otherwise I may have to break the law to get teh

Quick question - how do they enforce this? and, er, WHY?

I live in Washington State

LOUISIANA'D!

In Alabama, you can't buy...uhh..."toys."

same way they enforce no oral sex here in GA

same way they enforce no oral sex here in GA

Well here in progressive uh....Northern Alabama, there's a store that refuses to stop selling sex toys.

also, this is why America is so funny and stoopid

Video cameras in every home?
Thought police?

also, this is why America is so funny and stoopid

iirc there are loop-holes such as selling non-realistic electric boyfriends as mesagers etc...

get it, "straight"

Here's the interesting thing, in terms of this being a political issue: NONE of the presidential candidates favor either a) gay marriage or b) a constitutional amendment banning it.

I'm in no hurry to get married - but it's nice that I am no longer considered a second class citizen.

I posted last year or so - but it is a truly harrowing experience to have the President of the United States, Leader of the free world and representative of MY country - come out and publicly and relentlessly declare that YOU are do not deserve to have the same rights as real citizens. In fact YOU are an abomination.

See, this is really what same sex marriage is about to me: You either believe that homosexual couples have the right to access the same legal protections, benefits and services that heterosexuals of all religions have available to them; or you're a bigot.

It really is just that simple.

right to access the same legal protections, benefits

Hey, when you're a country founded by puritans...it takes a while to get things straight.

I can't help but point out that it WAS the fault of jolly ol' England in the first place.

STOP POINTING OUT TRUTH!

Okay,fine I'll be a bigot then My understanding was that "they" had all the in their partnerships.
*feels to lazy to scream it with caps and bold letters**likes how either side of the issue you're on, somebody is going to get called names*

Ignorance is the fuel of Bigotry FYI.