Well, isn’t that fucked up? This morning, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8. However, there was a silver lining to ruling: The 18,000 LBGT couples who married in California can stay married.
The court, in a 6-1 decision, said Californians have a right, through the ballot box, to change their Constitution—even at the expense of civil rights. According to the AP story, gay-rights activists immediately promised to resume their fight, saying they would go back to voters as early as next year in a bid to repeal Prop 8.
“It’s not about whether we get to stay married. Our fight is far from over,” said Jeannie Rizzo, 62, who was one of the lead plaintiffs along with her wife, Polly Cooper. “I have about 20 years left on this earth, and I’m going to continue to fight for equality every day.”
At Weekly World Central, the prevailing opinion seems to be that within a few years, a majority of California voters will wind up recognizing the rights of LGBT couples to marry, therefore overturning Prop 8.
Folks, don’t forget the Day of Decision rally tonight, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Catalina Park, 309 E. First St. Obviously, this is partly a celebration of the Tucson citizens who married in California, but it is also an opportunity to rally the troops for the work that needs to be done, both there and in Arizona.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2009.
The state fails. Civil rights are being denied to a group of people and it should piss everyone off. It’s a really smart move to bring people together in every state and city, because a new Civil Rights Act is needed to remedy this situation.
This is an example of how the basic principle of what a republic provides for is discarded.
Thanks to everyone who came out last night for the Day of Decision March and Rally! We had over 100 people gather at Catalina Park and march down 4th Avenue to Wingspan where we held a rally. The cheers and applause of people along 4th Avenue was a balm on a very hard day.