For much of the country, it felt like a bolt from the blue. Last week, giant California gave a green light to gay marriage.
California’s high court, in a 4-3 ruling, said civil union rights were not enough. Gay Californians — and those from anywhere else who barrel west to the Golden State — are entitled, said the court, to marriage.
San Francisco celebrated. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger signed on. There are implications for the whole country. Legally. Politically. But the battle’s not over.
This hour, On Point: California’s big move on gay marriage.
-Tom Ashbrook
Guests:
Crystal Carreon, courts reporter for the Sacramento Bee.
Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, a gay rights advocacy group.
Brian Brown, executive director for the California chapter of the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes the state’s high court ruling.
Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor and legal analyst at Slate magazine.
Douglas Kmiec, professor of constitutional law at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He served as head of the Office of Legal Counsel for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Tags: California, gay marriage, law
I am part of the next generation, and i would like to say that i fully and truly support gay marriage. I want you to think about when African Americans were fighting for equal rights, and if you can treat them equally. Two men and Two women can raise a child just as well as and man and women. Please think about your view on Gay marriage, because just listening to your voice hurts me, and makes me want to explode.
Posted by Roxanne, on April 9th, 2009 at 2:39 pm EDT