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Wed 4 Feb, 2004 08:49 pm
The topic of same-sexed marriages made news again today when the MA high court ruled that only marriage rights, and not just civil unions, would be constitutional to gays and lesbians.
I imagine that the final decision will come down to the voters as there is a push to ammend our state constitution to bar homosexuals from marriage.
Feh, that ain't gonna happen. It'll take at least 2 years and probably closer to 3 to pass an amendment. Under the court's ruling gays can marry starting May 1st of this year.
Once the marriages start and have been in place for a year or two any amendment will just die on the vine.
I think that Civil Unions were the way to go.
They give all of the legal rights without forcing the issue in a divided nation that is about to have a crucial election.
The SJC is morally right, but it somehow seems like arguing over words may not be the best thing for Massachusetts, homosexual citizens or the nation at large.
I sort of agree ebrown. It'll force the issue to a head. May be a good thing, but may be a bad thing.
Initially, when massachusetts was founded in 1630, civil unions were the only kind of marriage available.The argument was that marriage was a contract and the church should have nothing to do with it which was the radical Protestant position at the time. The clergy however objected and the law was changed. I think in the 1640"s.
There wasn't an official marriage law in the UK till the mid-1850s. And it was only bought in because there were too many 'unlicensed' folks marrying Catholics (read 'the Irish') to Protestants.
How much does a priest/church get for a marriage? I mean, is it about the money?
It's about time that they allowed homosexuals to marry! What's the hold-up anyway?
The 14th amendment specifically states that no person shall be treated differently than any other.
Article XIV.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
So, consititutionally, G&L persons wanting to marry have the consitutional right to do so.
I personally don't see the problem with it.
I couldn't care less what other people do.
Just so long as it doesn't hurt me or mine.
Then, I get upset.
Marry a dog, if you want. More power to ya.
Why? Did he marry a dog?
- - - - - - - - - -
My own marriage is secure, it is valued, it endures. No number of other marriages can change that for the worse. Strong marriages can change our marriage for the better.
No amount of additional marriages could make my first marriage work.
Leading with your chin, dear. Somebody had to take that shot...
Turner_727 wrote:The 14th amendment specifically states that no person shall be treated differently than any other.
Article XIV.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
So, consititutionally, G&L persons wanting to marry have the consitutional right to do so.
The 14th Amendment isn't so clear cut. By your rationale the idea of parking spaces reserved for the handicapped would be unconstitutional for example.
Quote:Leading with your chin, dear. Somebody had to take that shot...
One must be careful around Sealpoet.
One possible ramification is additional tourism and hospitality/entertainment dollars coming here. After all, if this is the one and only place to come to get married in the entire US, we may start to see folks flocking to Mass. to use our -
* catering halls
* caterers
* photographers
* hotels
* restaurants
* tuxedo and gown shops
* DJs and local bands
* airport and airport amenities
* train and bus stations and the local train and bus station amenities
* florists
etc.
Becoming the gay marriage capital of the US might actually help Massachusetts finally climb out of its economic funk.
... not to mention all the religious folk coming up to protest. Those folk got to sleep and eat somewhere too!
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