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Same-Sex Couples Anxious for Supreme Court Ruling(CBS NEWS) Couples all over America are waiting for six men and three women to tell them whether they have a constitutional right to marry. Thom Watson and Jeff Tabacco have been together for 10 years, and would like to make their relationship official. "It's always been our dream to marry the person that we love and to commit our lives to each other," Watson said. As residents of California, they can't because four years ago California voters passed Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage. But, it's the U.S. Supreme Court that will have the final say. On Friday, the justices met behind closed doors to decide whether to hear arguments in the California case. If they do not, a lower court decision striking down Proposition 8 will stand, and same-sex marriage will again be legal in California. "If the court does not take the appeal, I will feel an amazing amount of joy," Watson said. The court today also considered jumping into the debate over the Defense of Marriage Act. Known as DoMA, the 1996 federal law defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and allows the government to deny federal assistance -- such as Social Security survivor benefits -- to same-sex couples even if they're legally married. Several lower courts have struck down the law as a violation of the constitution's equal protection clause. But, Thomas Peters of the National Organization for Marriage says there's no right to gay marriage in the constitution. "The federal government and our elected officials through congress have a responsibility and right to protect marriage as a union of one man and one woman," Peters said. "So, we hope the supreme court will follow that precedent and respect the decisions of their representatives in Congress." The Supreme Court did not say on Friday which of the 10 same sex marriage cases on its docket it is willing to take up, but legal experts say whichever ones they choose this Supreme Court term is likely to have a profound influence on the future of same-sex marriage. |
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TedtheBear said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 12:29 PM
Everyone has a right to marry. The question only lies in if certain types of marriage are recognized legally.
108048026Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 2:34 PM
Think i'll puke now
108053705Bar'aq the Clown said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 2:56 PM
Who cares what the SCOTUS rules. I'll never accept gays as normal. There is no "right" to marry just as there is no "right" to drive a car.
108054885Anonymous said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 3:56 PM
Well, Clown is a good moniker for you, seeing as you are so ignorant of facts. Passing certain exams gives one the right to drive a car, and meeting certain requirements allows 2 people the right to marry. This entire homophobic nonsense is based on repressive religious beliefs, which is ironic considering the bible does not once speak of gay marriage. BUT- there are at least 8 different types of marriage the bible DOES mention, and in fact requires- such as forcing a woman to marry her rapist (deuteronomy 22: 28,29) or a widow to marry her brother-in-law (genesis 38: 6-19). The bible also condones concubines and polygamy (David and Solomon for example). So yeah, gays aren't normal, and neither is anyone else! Please open your mind instead of your mouth next time? (and I'm a married heterosexual by the way)
108057595BobD said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 5:15 PM
Christians are instructed in the scriptures to subject themselves to man's laws as long as they do not go against God's laws. No law in the Bible against homosexual marriage. The actions of all of us are a thing between us and God. We certainly shouldn't , as christians , agree with homosexual activities. The people that engage in such activities have to try and convince the Lord that He's wrong. Christians should realize this and let homosexuals face God for themselves. Simple thing to me.
108060816cooljulie said on Saturday, Dec 1 at 11:59 PM
Bob- your opinions come from a CHRISTIAN perspective, and christianity is a small minority in the world. Anon made the valid point that this all stems from religious (christian) bigotry. The constitution specifies separation of church and state, and marriage should be no different. Some people get married in a church, but the legal definition involves a government issued marriage license. If christian churches choose to ban gay marriage that is their choice, but they have no business forcing that ideology on the general public. As Anon pointed out, there are many types of marriage mentioned in the bible, some quite ugly in consequence, but most christians conveniently pick and choose what they like and ignore the rest. As you say, they will have to convince the lord he's wrong....
108074436AK7 said on Sunday, Dec 2 at 12:52 AM
What is the big deal? If a man loves a man and a woman loves a woman, they should be able to marry. More "Normal" heterosexual people marry and are not in love and can marry as much as he or she wants. God has nothing to do with laws. Keep God out of it because God has no place in Government.
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