Reason triumphs in California
Proposition 8, which passed in California in 2008, was overturned today by the California 9th circuit court. The decision reaffirmed the right of gays to marry, although it will not take effect immediately. The ruling does not apply to other states, but the reasoning behind the ruling, that no state has a legitimate right to legislate against, should eventually lend support to challenges by other states and to eventual Federal endorsement of gay rights.
The main argument against gay rights is based on religious beliefs that marriage is a privilege or duty reserved only for one man and one woman. The strength of this belief has prevailed for years against the logical assumption that everyone ought to enjoy the same rights in the country as others, so long as it does not impinge on anyone else. Needless to say there will be challenges to this new ruling. However, the argument that the ban violates the 14th Amendment should eventually carry the decision to victory.
There is hope yet, that the “Puritans” among us will lose their ability to dictate right and wrong to all citizens in the U.S. and that those decisions will be based on reason, not belief.
