Top

Gay Marriage Ban

February 9, 2012 by · Comments Off on Gay Marriage Ban 

Gay Marriage Ban, Same-sex marriage moved one step closer to the Supreme Court on Tuesday when a federal appeals court ruled California’s ban unconstitutional, saying it serves no purpose other than to “lessen the status and human dignity” of gays.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals gave opponents of gay marriage time to appeal the 2-1 decision before ordering the state to allow same-sex weddings to resume.

Rick Freeman, 49, of Lemoore, who is gay and has happily been with his partner for more than 10 years, sees this ruling as a step in the right direction and congratulates the appeals court for making the “correct” decision.

“I have been a fighter for human rights, not just gay, black or whatever, all my life,” Freeman said. “I served overseas in the Peace Corps. This is a smart decision to make for the state of California.

“I have never understood the idea behind Prop 8,” he said. “Look at the revenue that could be generated from allowing us gay couples to marry. It could be enough to help the state out of its budget crisis. All the marriage license fees, taxes and revenue from couples buying homes. This proposition has been wrong, morally, constitiutionally and financially for our state from the get-go.”

Freeman took to his Facebook page protesting the same-sex marriage ban early Tuesday before the ruling was announced.

“What I find interesting is that when you spend the better part of your life fighting for human rights and equality for everyone – even in third world countries – the lawmakers in California are making a mountain from a mole hill,” his post read. “Does anyone really care what goes on behind closed doors? Whatever happened to live and let live? Is it such a bad thing to fall in love with your best friend. Sorry, I have no patience for stupidity among lawmakers.”

The ban known as Proposition 8 was approved by voters in 2008, with 52 percent of the vote. The court said it was unconstitutional because it singled out a minority group for disparate treatment for no compelling reason.

Bottom