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America's Leading Gay News Source
Supremes expected to decide on taking up marriage
(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
WASHINGTON — After postponing a decision earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to take up key cases related to extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.
One case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, formerly Perry v. Schwarzenegger — known colloquially as the “Proposition 8 case” — will decide whether or not to strike down California’s voter-approved Proposition 8, which ended same-sex marriage in that state, as recommended by an appeals court.
In addition, the court will decide whether to hear five cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act — the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages performed abroad or in states where it is legal.
A decision on whether the court would hear the cases was expected sometime Friday. Visit washingtonblade.com for updated news.
Tagged with Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA, gay marriage, Hollingsworth v. Perry, Perry v. Brown, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, same-sex marriage, SCOTUS, U.S. Supreme Court
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Since our ballot victories in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington, the election of the first LGBT person — Tammy Baldwin — to the U.S. Senate, the election of the first LGBT person of color and the first openly LGBT person from California — Mark Takano — to the U.S. House of Representatives, and reelection of Barack Obama, a pro-marriage equality president, we here at Love Honor Cherish have been reflecting on where we have been and where we go from here.
Just over four years ago, we lost Prop 8. Over our objections, the No on 8 campaign hid LGBT people, forbade any discussion of children of gay couples and gay families, and validated people's fears by asserting that "Prop 8 has nothing to do with schools or kids." In today's world of Glee, Modern Family and The New Normal, these fears seem so absurd that we can hardly remember having them.
In the intervening four years, we've heard some argue that people are not ready to vote for same-sex marriage and that no on should ever vote on people's rights. Despite our best efforts, these arguments won out here in California. Luckily, our friends in Maine, Maryland and Washington disagreed loudly. It felt wonderful to win at the ballot box.
We also remember the harm that Prop 8 has caused: families without the protections of marriage, loved ones who will never attend our weddings, and a dear member of Love Honor Cherish who passed away without seeing the end of Prop 8.
And history continues to unfold. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court may announce whether it is going to hear the Perry case challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8, as well as challenges to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. If they decline to hear the Perry case, Prop 8 will be history. If they decide to hear the case (or postpone a decision), Prop 8 will remain the law in California for at least some months more.
Either way, we must continue to imagine and fight for a world of full equality and respect for all people, gay or straight, in every sphere, including both the courts and the ballot box. And hopefully we've learned that conservative, take-it-slow approaches achieve little other than reinforcing fear and prejudice. We all deserve the right to marry the person whom we love. And we deserve it now.
It's time!
In solidarity,
Love Honor Cherish.
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