The California Supreme Court has spoken – but the contoversy over same-sex marriage in the state isn’t over.
The court upheld Proposition 8 – the ballot measure approved by California voters that barred single-sex marriage.
It also ruled that gay couples who wed before the measure passed could still be considered married under state law.
We’re taking a look at different perspectives on this story from CNN, HotAir.com, the Huffington Post, Showbiz Tonight and the Colorado Springs Gazette.
First, CNN looks at the controversy through the lens of the state’s history of citizen ballot initiatives that affect everything from social to business issues.
“Proposition 8 is part of a long California tradition of tinkering with the state constitution which governs minutia like gasoline tax revenue, housing and even what type of nets commercial fishermen can use. The United States Constitution has been amended 27 times, or about once every eight years. Californians have changed theirs 500 times or about four times a year.” (
CNN)
Hot Air.com takes a Biblical approach by comparing the court’s decision to Solomon’s:
“The ruling signals a victory for democracy over judicial fiat, as Proposition 8 reversed the same court’s declaration of the right to gay marriage. The court (also) split the baby, figuratively speaking, by reaffirming the marriages conducted by California in the interim.” (
HotAir.com)
A columnist on Huffington Post explains how upholding the amendment is actually good for gay marriage.
“The Court's decision drives home that the future of gay rights lies at the ballot box and not in the courts. We should view the California Court not as opposing gay marriage, but rather as promoting public deliberation and democratic action on the subject of equal rights.” (
Huffington Post)
Showbiz Tonight weighs in with Hollywood’s take, which it calls, “Gay Marriage Ban Outrage.”
They quote singer Melissa Etheridge as saying:
“Those full of hate and fear will surely be disappointed that 18,000 same sex couples will be living in wedded bliss, kissing their spouses goodnight…” (
Showbiz Tonight)
But this isn’t a gay issue at all says an editorial in the Colorado Springs Gazette.
It’s that states shouldn’t be in the marriage business in the first place.
“A marriage is, at its core, a contract between two consenting adults whether state governments say so or not. A marriage should have no bond with the state. That means couples - heterosexual, gay, black, white or green - must stop asking governments to sanction their relationships.” (
Colorado Springs Gazette)
