We NEED A Constitutional Amendment

[JFN1]

for GLBT rights!!! Enough with the 'Gay Crow' laws in this country! Let's put it in the Constitution - EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.

Kick and rec if you agree.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. No, we need a Supreme Court that will enforce the protections that SHOULD be already in place.

Fortunately, we now have Barack Obama to nominate judges that will hopefully do so. Equal protection is already the supreme law of the land - it just needs to be enforced.

[tpi10d]

3. a couple new justices may do it..

A nationwide ruling would take care of this once and for all.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. We'd need more than that, though, right? Isn't the balance of power us 4 them 5?

[blondeatlast]

7. You said it well so I'll just reinforce your post. Thanks for the wisdom.nt

[anonymous171]

2. First we need to stop relying on Southern swing states.

Then we can amend the constitution. Right now it would be political suicide (so no politician will touch it.)

[JBoris]

4. K&R, but we are probably decades away from that happening.

After last night, I don't think that's something I'll even see in my lifetime.

[Kceres]

8. Look, just 48 monthsI thought we were years away from a black president.

and we did it. Our next priority has got to be equal rights for our gay brothers and sisters. We can do this. Our joy should be somewhat tempered today considering what happened in California. My heart goes out.

[book_worm]

5. Good Luck even the Equal Rights Amendment in the 70s couldn't get 2/3 of the states

to ratify it.

[goletian]

6. no need for an amendment, ITS ALREADY IN THERE. they need to ENFORCE IT.

bans on gay marriage are ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS-IS!!!!!!

[Fresh_Start]

10. we need a constitutional amendment for equal rights

Time to bring back and expand the ERA.
Did you realize that it took 50 years to get the ERA passed in Congress (though it was never ratified by enough states to make it an amendment).
It should be the first order of business every single congressional session until it is the law of the land.

[Terran]

11. It's already there: XIVth Amendment, Equal Protection Clause

We just the SCOTUS to make a ruling on it specific to GLBT civil rights.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Our new President

is the only politician I have ever heard make GLBT rights arguments using the 14th. It gives me hope for his thinking is sound.

[blondeatlast]

14. I see a case coming forward in the next two years that can set a precedent.

Let's hope we can gain a seat or two in the meantime.

[smoochpooch]

15. The last thing we need is to bring this to the Court now.

It's a loser. It sucks; GLBT Americans will continue to suffer and be denied their rights, but the fact is this Court will rule against them and then it becomes precedent. Once that happens, the only way to protect gay marraige will be a Constitutional Amendment, and I just don't see that happening. I know it's not what people want to hear, that they have to put off their dreams so that future people might realize theirs. But taking this issue to this Court would be disastrous.

[Terran]

16. This court has already ruled in favor of GLBT equality

in the Texas sodomy law case. They ruled that homosexuals must be treated equally under that now-defunct law *because of* the Equal Protection Clause. That case basically opened up the way for a ruling on same-sex marriage, and there is really no way they can rule against marriage equality because they already ruled in favor of equal application of the existing laws under the US Constitution. It merely remains for a case to get to them. That won't happen quickly, but there is no reason why it can't happen fairly soon...probably after Obama gets a couple of new justices on the court.

Somehow I doubt your argument that people living today "have to put off their dreams" is going to get a lot of traction with people here. Whether you know it or not, this is at its heart an economic issue. There are many many economic benefits people are being denied for no good reason, and it has to stop. And "separate but equal" solutions are already deemed unconstitutional.

[immoderate]

19. I agree with this. Fourteenth amendment covers it.

This court might even enforce it.

--IMM

[soccermomforobama]

13. We need a government that will strictly enforce the seperation

between church and state. It disgusts me that the Mormon Church poured more that $15 mil. through various means to help get this measured passed. It annoys me that pastors, priests and other church leaders use the pulpit to tell their members who they should vote for or against.

[rufus dog]

17. It is already there

[ShenandoahAspen]

18. Proud to be the 5th rec.

It's time GLBT have the same rights heterosexuals have in this country -- this is 2008; it's sad that GLBT are treated as second-class citizens here!

[Laelth]

20. I agree. Equality under the law is the right of every American.

It's shameful that some do not. k&r

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Orsino]

21. We need equal rights, period.

A Constitutional Amendment may not be the quickest way there, but it's a way.