[JayJay]

The California Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ruled in favor of marriage equality today, striking down a proposition that limited marriage to opposite-sex couples as unconstitutional and declaring that domestic partnership is not equal to marriage.

The majority decision, written by Chief Justice Ron George, declared that "In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual's sexual orientation - like a person's race or gender - does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights."

From a legal point of view, the decision is significant in that the majority ruled that sexual orientation is entitled to "strict scrutiny" when questions of equal protection are raised. Previously, the court required only a rational basis test in cases where sexual orientation discrimination was asserted.

The marriages should begin soon!
_________________
Jay

[DVDLover]

[smiles]

Wahoo!!!

That is great news for California! It is too bad that other states have not gotten aboard. Still, my congratulations to all of the Californians.

Smiles :)

[gennee]

California's decison affects all people in LGBT family. As a transgeder individual, it encourages me to keep moving forward in gaining equality for transgender people. Better days are coming.

Gennee