Bigotry Takes a Hit. Prop 8 ruling is a turning point...there's no going back (Michelle Goldberg)

[jefferson_dem]

Bigotry Takes a Hit
by Michelle Goldberg

The California ruling overturning a ban on same-sex marriage will surely trigger a burst of homophobia. But it’s a turning point in the culture wars. Michelle Goldberg on why there’s no going back.

Most people who followed the Proposition 8 trial expected Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker to overturn California’s same-sex marriage ban. Still, the scope and breadth of the decision is thrilling. In clear, cogent prose, Walker systematically eviscerated every hackneyed canard and bad-faith assertion offered by religious conservatives to justify rank bigotry against gays and lesbians.

“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license,” Walker wrote. “Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional,” the judge ruled.

“The decision recognizes that the legal battles against marriage rights for same-sex couples now no longer have a leg to stand on,” says Columbia Law School’s Suzanne Goldberg.

“It is a slam-dunk victory for same-sex couples and for the same-sex couples in this case,” says Suzanne Goldberg, director of Columbia Law School’s Center for Gender and Sexuality Law. “The decision recognizes that the legal battles against marriage rights for same-sex couples now no longer have a leg to stand on.”

And this isn’t just a victory for gays and lesbians. Walker’s ruling is made on explicitly feminist grounds. The restriction of marriage to heterosexual couples, he finds, “exists as an artifact of a time when the genders were seen as having distinct roles in society and in marriage. That time has passed.” The religious right has always known that gay rights and feminism are deeply intertwined, because both threaten the idea that gender roles are God-given, sharply delineated and immutable. Part of the brilliance of Walker’s decision is the way it roots out the premises of the anti-gay marriage argument and demolishes them.

<SNIP>

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-08-04/prop-8-overturned-vaughn-walkers-ruling-on-gay-marriage/

[VMI Dem]

1. Hope the Pres takes a hint and walks back his own bigotry on this issue.

Now would be an opportune time to be an advocate.

[LostinVA]

2. I would like him to just release a statement about the ruling

Even a negative one -- he acts like we don't exist most of the time.

[WillParkinson]

3. That's not true!

They just asked us for money. They KNOW we exist.

[LostinVA]

8. You're right -- mea culpa!

[VMI Dem]

4. Can't risk offending the bigots in the big tent I guess.

[Skittles]

6. that's exactly what it is

which in my mind is true cowardice

[jefferson_dem]

7. He already did.

White House Statement on Proposition 8

A White House statement regarding Wednesday's ruling overturning Proposition 8 said President Barack Obama had spoken out against the measure because it was "divisive and discriminatory."

By Kerry Eleveld

A White House spokesperson sent the following statement to The Advocate regarding Wednesday's ruling declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional:

“The President has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans.”

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/08/04/White_House_Statement_Prop_8/

[LostinVA]

9. I'm right -- the President didn't release a statement nor speak out

He sent a PR to the Advocate.

[jefferson_dem]

5. Actually, POTUS has publicly opposed PROP 8 and issued another statement yesterday.

Leaving aside your loaded charge of "bigotry", we do agree that it's past time for him to stand up PROUD for equality.

[LostinVA]

10. It isn't a "loaded" charge -- the POTUS is against marriage equality

And, where was this statement? i didn't see it in the media at all last night, and I watched and read everything. Do you mean the statement you listed above sent to the Advocate?

[vaberella]

18. You didn't see so that means it's untrue.

Does the media care really care and show EVERYTHING Obama does and say? No. You know that the media didn't show on television that Obama signed an American Indian protection bill---so what you're saying to me is that it's false. Anyone who's been here for the past 2 years is fully aware that the President opposed prop 8 and wrote against it.

[Bluenorthwest]

23. The man says, in ful hypocritical theatrics

that he is opposed to equal rights due to him being a Christian. Sorry, but I know hundreds of Christians who are not bigots like he is. Deal with it. That is just the man Barack, being who and what he is. As a man, it is not much, this rhetorical use of scriptures both he and his wife refuse to live by themselves. Show me Michelle living up to Paul's rules and regs for a month, then we can talk.

[vaberella]

19. Well he's not against gay marriage---he double talks it though...

He considers gay marriage synonymous with civil marriage----that was a wholly political move because politicians have always used civil marriage in a way to mean something different from gay marriage. I agree that is annoying----what I do like is that he said he will be working to overturn DOMA and he's on his way to that. DADT is on hold, but it's on it's way out too---all that's left is two signatures.

[VMI Dem]

21. So when he says marriage is between a man and a woman...

what does that mean to you?

[Bluenorthwest]

24. He says 'I believe marriage is between one man and one

woman'. That is not double talk. It is clear. He says that is because of his Christianity although we all know that many Christians do not hold such bigotries, and in fact many gay people are Christians. What it is that you think he means when he says that stuff? Note that in Christian teachings 'double talk' is forbiden and known as 'lying'. This is a fact of the faith. Jesus forbids 'spin' or any form of speech that attempts to obscure the truth. So the 'double speak' is yet another example of hypocrisy, and it is no defense biblically speaking at all. And aside from that book, there is no argument at all.
Holding onto the idea that a Christian is not being truthful in order to promote his faith is sort of ironic. Hell, it is the definition of irony.

[GodlessBiker]

11. He's hypocritical on this issue. It makes little sense to be against marriage equality, like he is,

but then disagree with a state making sure its laws only allow for opposite sex marriage.

He can't be saying that while he is against same sex marriage, in the sense that he would not enter into one, he thinks others should be allowed to enter into such a marriage. He has never nuanced his remarks this way.

[whyverne]

12. Speaking of homophobia,

we were watching America's Got Talent last night. Prince Poppycock, who does one of the gayest acts that you can imagine, was voted through to the nest round by popular call-in vote.

I can't imagine that happening if America was mostly homophobic.

"America is always right", says judge Sharon Osbourne.

[VMI Dem]

13. "one of the gayest acts that you can imagine"

can you elaborate?

[SunsetDreams]

15. was going to ask the same thing

geez

[Jennicut]

14. I love Prince Poppycock. Howie Mandell wondered if middle America would like him.

Well? He made it through.

[SunsetDreams]

16. Me too, he is awesome

I know he will get a Vegas Show, regardless if he wins or loses.
He has so much talent, I just love his voice.

[uncommon]

17. k&r

[Jefferson23]

20. I especially like the fact that this judge was first nominated by St. Reagan

then later by Bush1, LOL. I want to hear the hate radio crowd define this guy as a liberal nut now.

[saltpoint]

22. A lot of money -- from the Mormon Church and elsewhere --

went into the effort to pass Prop 8.

The Mormons claim to adhere to the tenets of the ministry of Jesus but it is very difficult to see where dumping a huge pile of cash into a proposition that when enacted would deny a significant percentage of citizens the right to marry whom they choose is anything close to the tenets the Church purports to follow.

I like the title of the piece here also: "Bigotry Takes a Hit..." Yes indeed.

Recommended.

[Bluenorthwest]

25. The judge says the bigots have no rational basis for their view

And I agree, the bad faith based community is devoid of reason. Not at all pragmatic, an irrational and dogmatic line of bullshit.