Cali lifts ban on Gay Marriage

[XTC]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...p/gay_marriage


Judge Says Calif. Can't Ban Gay Marriage

1 hour, 17 minutes ago U.S. National - AP


By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - A judge ruled Monday that California's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional, saying the state could no longer justify limiting marriage to a man and a woman.


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AFP
Slideshow: Same-Sex Marriage Issues




In the eagerly awaited opinion likely to be appealed to the state's highest court, San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer said that withholding marriage licenses from gays and lesbians is unconstitutional.


"It appears that no rational purpose exists for limiting marriage in this state to opposite-sex partners," Kramer wrote.


The judge wrote that the state's historical definition of marriage, by itself, cannot justify the denial of equal protection for gays and lesbians.


"The state's protracted denial of equal protection cannot be justified simply because such constitutional violation has become traditional," Kramer wrote.


Kramer ruled in lawsuits brought by the city of San Francisco and a dozen same-sex couples last March. The suits were brought after the California Supreme Court halted a four-week marriage spree that Mayor Gavin Newsom had initiated in February 2004 when he directed city officials to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians in defiance of state law.


The plaintiffs said withholding marriage licenses from gays and lesbians trespasses on the civil rights all citizens are guaranteed under the California Constitution.


Two legal groups representing religious conservatives joined with California Attorney General Bill Lockyer in defending the existing laws and had vowed to appeal if Kramer did not rule in their favor.


Lockyer's office has said it expects the matter eventually will have to be settled by the California Supreme Court.


A pair of bills pending before the California Legislature would put a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the November ballot. If California voters approve such an amendment, as those in 13 other states did last year, that would put the issue out of the control of lawmakers and the courts.

XTC Reviewed by XTC on 03-14-2005. Cali lifts ban on Gay Marriage http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=1&u=/ap/gay_marriage Judge Says Calif. Can't Ban Gay Marriage 1 hour, 17 minutes ago U.S. National - AP By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer Rating: 5

[Dick Justice]

One step closer to widespread tolerance. Excellent.

[sawleaf]

Cool, more freedom means a better America.

[Edgar]

It'll get worse before it gets better.








But it will get better.

[Torog]

Cool, more freedom means a better America.

Howdy sawleaf,

Even if it means the destruction of the traditional family ? The continued sexualization of our children-in the name of tolerance ?

Marriage,has always been meant for heterosexuals to join together, legally and morally,in order to produce a family and sustain the healthy developement of society. I would compromise with civil unions and partner benefits..even though,as a Christian-I should not be approving of that which God,considers a sin.

Islam,considers homosexuality,a sin and it's a capitol offense,in countries like Saudi..why is it-that the enemies of Christianity,not also condemn Islam ? I believe it's because they approve of the fact-that we are at war,with Islam and Islam,is attacking their object of revulsion and hatred,America.

It'a blatant,double-standard.

My fellow roughnecks and I,encountered a gay Saudi..we could have turned him in,because he was flirting with one of our guys,but we knew that to do so,would mean his death..beheading,most likely. We had no other choice,but to send home,the feller that was gittin picked on-because we suspected,that some kind of false charges,would be brought against us and our contracts terminated prematurely.

Have a good one....

[Button Basher]

Poor Torog, he's such a victim.

[sawleaf]

Torog, you know I'm a Christian also, but I am not one to force my beliefs on anyone. This is America, supposedly the "Land of the Free". How free is it if two people in love can't get married? Look to the middle east! That's what happens when religion rules a country! I don't believe any country should have laws based on religion. Religion in government will just restrict and seperate.

[pisshead]

marriage shouldn't have anything to do with government anyway...

why do we accept government saying what we are allowed and not allowed to do, out of their bounds, as normal, especially the feds.

[Torog]

Torog, you know I'm a Christian also, but I am not one to force my beliefs on anyone. This is America, supposedly the "Land of the Free". How free is it if two people in love can't get married? Look to the middle east! That's what happens when religion rules a country! I don't believe any country should have laws based on religion. Religion in government will just restrict and seperate.

Howdy sawleaf,

You make some good points,I am having a bit of a struggle,I don't like the idea of forcing anyone to believe a certain way..or legislating behaviour..I want to live and let live,I want folks to be happy..but I also believe,that children should be encouraged to marry and have family's when they grow up..the traditional family,is vital for the health of any society. What could be the long-term effects of gay marriage,on society and population growth ? That is one of the things I worry about,as a parent and Christian. I wish that Jesus would come down from Heaven-and settle this issue..but it appears..that it is our lesson to learn and discover the solution to. If I am to love my neighbor..then that includes gay folks too..it's all very confusing.

Have a good one...

[F L E S H]

Howdy sawleaf,

You make some good points,I am having a bit of a struggle,I don't like the idea of forcing anyone to believe a certain way..or legislating behaviour..I want to live and let live,I want folks to be happy..but I also believe,that children should be encouraged to marry and have family's when they grow up..the traditional family,is vital for the health of any society. What could be the long-term effects of gay marriage,on society and population growth ? That is one of the things I worry about,as a parent and Christian. I wish that Jesus would come down from Heaven-and settle this issue..but it appears..that it is our lesson to learn and discover the solution to. If I am to love my neighbor..then that includes gay folks too..it's all very confusing.

Have a good one...

I see the struggle... Actually, Torog, the confusion you just described is what causes a lot people to abandon religion altogether... Think about it too much, it doesn't make sense anymore.

The only thing about gay marriage that bothers me is that a lot of them want to get married in a church. If the church does not want to perform the ceremony, there's no way in hell a government should force them to. However, if gays want to get married in city hall or something like that, then it's all cool with me.

I say, just respect the wishes of the Church, a private organization which has nothing to do with government. We can't force religion to change its mind, or we'll be sinking to their level