Victory in California

On Monday, California GLBT has the reprieve they so wanted. On Monday, a California State Judge, Richard A. Kramer, ruled that the states ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and that there was no constitutional argument that would hold up. California has a constitutional amendment that states all people are equal under the law, yet lawmakers were able to declare same-sex unions and marriages as unconstitutional. This judge saw through the smoke screen many GOP lawmakers were using in defense of the ban, and stated that this ban was unconstitutional. This is very interesting considering that the judge is a GOP Catholic man, and will face the wrath of his party for this decision, but did it anyway.

While this is a victory to all GLBT’s out there, it is only a small victory. The government said they would appeal to the highest court in the state and eventually the Supreme Court if needed to make sure this ban stays intact. One leading GOP lawmaker stated that this would give people a push in the seat to help enact the constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage and to make civil unions outlawed as well. I hope he is wrong.

This is a positive turn for the struggle for equal marriage rights, but it does overshadow the most basic GLBT struggle… the struggle for equal rights in the workplace, in housing, credit, and in death. People keep forgetting that we must first earn our most basic rights as gay people before the marriage rights will ever be a sweet and lasting victory. We need to focus on the small things first, and then worry about the big fishes later.

Congrats to California and the city of San Fran for their recent victory. As the mayor stated, this is just the first step in the road. They will take it to the highest court in order to ensure equal protection and justification under the law. More power and best wishes to them all!

Jase ;0)

Jason P. Ruel
Editor, Gay Lesbian News