California's top court seems split on gay marriage

[David Zephyr]

Source: Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court appeared divided on Tuesday over whether to allow gay marriage during nearly four hours of oral arguments on the contentious issue that could impact gay rights nationwide.

Several of the seven judges asked whether the state legislature might better decide whether matrimony should be limited to a man and a woman, while others pointed to how the same court ended the state ban on marriages between blacks and whites after World War Two.

"I think it's going to be a divided opinion but I wouldn't want to predict who will win," Christopher Krueger, a lawyer representing the state attorney general who presented arguments before the judges, told Reuters.

The hearing brought into focus the highest-profile U.S. fight over gay rights in recent years and the outcome could influence legislation and lawsuits in other states on what has been a hot-button issue in recent election campaigns.

Full Story at this link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080304/us_nm/rights_califo...

[David Zephyr]

1. As a Californian, I am saddened that we didn't lead the nation on this issue.

My beloved state was the first to decriminalize homosexuality under the brave leadership of former Governor Jerry Brown in the 1970's.

It saddens me that we were not at the forefront of this, too.

[mitchtv]

7. Yes the Brown Act

The Willie Brown act. Thanks Jerry and Willie

[dsc]

2. It would be great if we won that

but I am not holding my breath. It would take immense courage for that court to rule for us.

[David Zephyr]

4. I am holding my breath because I know that they all know better and what justice requires.

Hey, did you pick a movie?

[dsc]

5. I will submit a list of the pg 13 films

and let the kids pick. We meet tomorrow. I will let you all know. We do need to get out of the adult ghetto with our movies it is absurd that so many of those films are rated R for little to no reason. On edit, I do hope your court does the right thing but I fear the whole Rose Byrd thing will stick in their minds.

[David Zephyr]

6. Rose Byrd.

What a great woman she was. I'm impressed you know about her. Her final days are heartbreaking.

[Mz Pip]

3. 6 of the 7

justices were appointed by Republican governors. We shall see...

I am not optimistic.

[moose65]

8. Hmmmmm......

"Several of the seven judges asked whether the state legislature might better decide whether matrimony should be limited to a man and a woman." WTF...... didn't California's legislature pass a bill to legalize marriage last year, only to have it vetoed by the Governator? Seems like the legislature has already decided. So let's review: the Governator vetoed the bill, saying that the courts should decide, and then the court is divided, saying the legislature should decide? It's a vicious cycle!

[dbackjon]

10. I noticed that.

Fucking repigs...

[mondo joe]

9. There's a rather encouraging story in the NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/us/05marriage.html