Five years ago I was the maid of honor in my childhood friend's wedding. My dad officiated. Family and friends came from miles away to celebrate. The day was perfect. The brides were beautiful. I've always referred to that day as a wedding, but it wasn't. It was a commitment ceremony, which never lessened its validity in my mind or my friend's, but it certainly did in the eyes of the law.
So here we are, almost five years to the date (their anniversary is in June), able to say that we're making progress---though certainly circuitously. Today's California Supreme Court decision (READ IT) apparently still has to go to the voters in a constitutional referendum from what I've read today. Then California will be the second American state (after Massachusetts) with full marriage rights.
I especially appreciated this part of the opinion:
"[A]ffording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs."
Yay for separation of church and state, something that's been far too conflated during these long Bush years.
---Brooke
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I'm a staff writer for bestgayblogs.com, I write fiction for Starbooks Pres, Cleis Press and Alyson Books, and I often lurk here to see what's happening. Only I don't usually comment. But thanks for posting this; it's a big step and California deserves a lot of praise and support.
We couldn't agree more! Thanks for commenting Ryan.
K.
And thanks for lurking and reading, too. It's been amazing to watch the news coverage and see all the support. It feels like a real shift, an acknowledgment of full(er) rights and citizenship. Thank god!
---B
Hi, someone contacted me about reviewing "Open," but the email was eaten by Gmail. Please have them reach out again, as I would be interested in reviewing the book. Also interested in finding a publisher for our story.
Post a Comment