Misblog

Originally Published June 17, 2008; Last Updated and Republished August 20, 2009:

Late into the evening just married same-sex couples emerged onto San Francisco City Hall steps to cheering crowds, a self-styled trumpeter playing notes from "Here Comes the Bride", and a live KGO Radio broadcast.

As with all just married couples they were all smiles and laughter.

Just Married Same-Sex Couple

Looking at this obviously elated couple I wondered what's all the fuss about—it's no different than opposite-sex marriages or couples.

Steps of SF City Hall Where Just Married Couples Are Emerging

If you doubt this check out the same-sex divorce statistics in a decade; If you think our species will go extinct check out our birth and death statistics over the next decade; while your at it check out the world population, too.

If you think "God" will kill you, opposite-sex marriages and couples, others, or same-sex marriages and couples you'll be able to think the same thing in a decade, if you're single—just kidding, your God isn't that petty! My God,...maybe!

YouTube:

• UPDATED 05/26/2009 California Supreme Court bows to the People, but existing same-sex marriages stand:

  Proponents will likely view this as an outreach and education opportunity on the need to provide same-sex marriages equal protection under the law.

  Many times tactical defeat leads directly to a strategic victory—much has changed since November 2008.

Web:

• UPDATED 08/20/2009 Reuters, Judge sets Jan 2010 federal gay marriage trial.

• UPDATED 08/17/2009 UPI, U.S. brief defends DOMA, but urges repeal. (read or download the reply brief at Scribd)

  The Department of Justice (DOJ) in its role of defending acts of Congress has filed a brief defending the unfortunate Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

  Fortunately, DOJ simultaneously makes clear that it thinks that DOMA should be repealed by Congress. DOJ's bifurcated and nuanced approach enables it to simultaneously satisfy its constitutional obligation while retaining its constitutional autonomy.

  "With respect to the merits, this Administration does not support DOMA as a matter of policy, believes that it is discriminatory, and supports its repeal. Consistent with the rule of law, however, the Department of Justice has long followed the practice of defending federal statutes as long as reasonable arguments can be made in support of their constitutionality, even if the Department disagrees with a particular statute as a policy matter, as it does here."--Smelt v U.S.--(read or download at Scribd)--

• UPDATED 07/09/2009 UPI, Massachusetts sues over marriage act. All 50 states' attorney generals should join the Massachusetts lawsuit.
• UPDATED 05/27/2009 Reuters, Bush v. Gore lawyers take on gay marriage ban
• UPDATED 05/26/2009 SFGate, Court upholds Prop. 8 but lets marriages stand

• UPDATED 03/05/2009 Reuters, Gay marriage backers grilled by California judges

  • California Channel, Proposition 8 Cases. Watch the California Supreme Court oral arguments from Thursday, March 5, 2009. Three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 (Ban on Same Sex Marriage), a statewide ballot initiative that was passed by a majority of California voters in November 2008.
  • California Supreme Court, Proposition 8 Cases

• UPDATED 03/05/2009 SF Mayor Takes Gay Marriage Fight To Court

  This morning at 9am local time, gay marriage is back before the California Supreme Court after Proposition 8 temporarily popped the celebratory balloons and clouded its previous ruling.

  If you were standing on the San Francisco City Hall steps with your back to the door and looked up and slightly turned your head to the left you would be looking at the windows of California's Supreme Court.

  If you looked straight ahead you'd see media satellite trucks, police presence, and people galore.