Historic Ruling

Let's see how long it lasts

I have to admit, I was both suprised and thrilled when I saw this story. But mostly surprised.

By law, gays must be allowed to marry in New York

It turns out that state protections of the rights of the individual are often stronger than federal ones.

Still, this ruling comes from the New York State Supreme Court which is actually the lowest court in the state.

It will most likely be fought all the way to the highest court (the Court of Appeals) and I'm not optimistic about its chances for survival. But for a brief shining moment, New York looks a little more civilised.

The challenges to laws banning whites and non-whites from marriage demonstrate that the fundamental right to marry the person of one's choice may not be denied based on longstanding and deeply held traditional beliefs about appropriate marital partners.

I have never understood the argument that allowing gay people to marry somehow damages a straight-homophobic couple's marriage. I mean, marriage is not an exclusive club where members get together and hang out (and we'll have none of "those" people in our club thank-you-very-much). It's a commitment between two people who love each other. And no one is asking any churches to recognise it, or to proclaim it's not a sin or something. If churches want to base their laws on bits of a 2000 year old text, let them.

So if 2 gay people can get married, I don't see why anyone should be upset. There's little enough love and commitment in the world as it is. But if 2 gay people are forbidden to marry, then I get upset. Because with the first link, a chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.

posted by Manchild at 3:30 PM