California marriage and the impact in the Carolinas

The June 14 issue of Q-Notes contains an article on the California marriage decision and its possible impact (or, more likely, possible backlash) in the Carolinas.

Marriage gains are a two-edged sword

In 1970, two gay students at the University of Minnesota attempted to obtain a marriage license. When they were denied, they took their case to the state’s court system. When the suit reached Minnesota’s Supreme Court, the students lost.

Forty years later, the push for basic marriage rights for same-sex couples has eclipsed employment non-discrimination, hate crimes legislation and repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy to become the number one advocacy issue of national LGBT organizations and influential LGBT activists.

There’s no doubt that civil marriage — and the plethora of federal, state and local rights and privileges that come with it — would allow same-sex couples to better care for themselves and their children. Full marriage equality would also further assimilate the gay community into mainstream American society.

On May 15, the push toward these ideals was given an enormous boost when the California Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional state laws limiting marriage to one man and one woman. After surviving a right-wing attempt to have a stay placed on the decision, on June 16 at 5 p.m., the ruling becomes effective and same-sex couples will begin to marry.

Read the rest at Q-Notes Online

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