Marriage Equality...Finally

On May 15, 2008 the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of equally and made same-sex marriage legal in our state. Effective 30 days from the decision (June 16, 2008) couples who have been together longer than I’ve been alive (I’m still in my twenties, at least for a few more months) will be able to have their relationship defined as married. That is after they file the marriage petition. There are still some questions and concerns not fully addressed by the Court’s decision, and Equality California (www.eqca.org/marriage/faq) is a great resource.

The full impact of the decision didn’t truly hit me until I ran into some friends who’ve been together a long time, and they shared with me their plans to get married on June 16th. Tears rushed to my eyes, as they are doing right now as I type this. I was and am overwhelmed that so many couples I know will finally have the chance to marry the person s/he loves.

Not all of my friends in this situation are planning weddings yet. This has actually caused a disagreement among one couple I know. Several years ago they had a commitment ceremony with family and friends. Now that they can get married one wants a big ceremony the other just wants to go down to the courthouse. I’m just thankful they now have the choice.

Unfortunately, opponents of marriage equality were prepared for the CA Supreme Court’s decision by putting a proposition on the November ballot that would overturn this ruling. Governor Swarzenegger has stated he will not support the proposition. And, a poll released today shows that 51-42 percent of registered voters believed same-sex marriage should be legal in California. That is a significant change in ideology.

Thank you to all the LBTGQ people and friends (like PFLAG) for speaking out and making this issue personal. Although the scenes from 2004 of the San Francisco weddings were deemed a reason why Republicans retained control, I believe it paved the way in people’s hearts to be more accepting of others. The numerous pictures of couples expressing their love for each other after years together made it personal.

How much more personal can you get then from a statement from one of our members included in the California Young Democrats’ press release.

"We thank and congratulate the Supreme Court for their monumental and historic decision, and look forward to the fight that is still ahead," said Rachel Kau-Taylor (Sonoma County), Chair of the YDA GLBT Caucus. "A Constitutional Amendment to limit marriage (1298. (07-0068) is pending signature counting and stands ready to qualify for the November ballot in California. This would embed discrimination in the California State Constitution, and great leaps forward still remain in making one marriage available to all in our state laws and at the national level."

I can’t wait until June 16th! I’ll be heading to the courthouse to witness the barriers of segregation crumble under love.