California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban
At the vanguard of civil rights, the California Supreme Court affirmed the right to gay marriage today by overturning two of the state’s previous bans. The legislative debate over “gay marriage” (now, simply marriage) began in California in 2004, when San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom ordered the county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Already opponents of the decision have thrown down the gauntlet, saying that they will push to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to ban gay marriage. I say bring it on — I hope that people vote down such an obvious attempt to abrogate a decision that, at its core, is based on principles of equality. And then, I hope they gather signatures and pass a constitutional amendment UPHOLDING marriage equality, just to make it perfectly clear that voters are willing to be proactive on this issue.
I’ve made my position clear, but I have to say that I am incredibly proud and honored to be a Californian today. I remember wondering if marriage equality was something I would ever see in my own lifetime, or if it would be delayed for generations to come.
This reopens the conversation on what constitutes marriage. For some, marriage is a religious definition; however, as someone indoctrinated in the “separation of church and state” school, I think it’s fair to argue that marriages conducted by the state are, by definition, not religious. Further, it becomes the responsibility of each faith community to decide where they stand on the issue, but their decisions should not trump the state’s prerogative to uphold equality. The decision includes an exemption for religious officials; they do not have to officiate a marriage that they believe contravenes the teachings/understandings of their faith. What would this mean, in the context of a Sikh marriage? In theory, Sikhi does not have formal religious officials, so in theory I could imagine a sangat choosing to officiate same-sex marriages if they believed that decision was in line with their interpretation of Sikhi. What do you think?
Related posts: The Fierce Community; A “Sensible” Religious Response to LGBT Sikhs; Towards a Queer Ethos
9 Responses to “California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban”
My one major worry about gay marriage is that if it is legal, it could be used for marriage immigration fraud, otherwise I really could care less.
I think gay marriage will be great for the Punjab, where there very few women left in the future as they are being aborted out of control.
I don't think our community will be very open to gay marriage has the punjabi is very macho culture and those are the communities hardest to be gay in.
My one major worry about gay marriage is that if it is legal, it could be used for marriage immigration fraud, otherwise I really could care less.
I think gay marriage will be great for the Punjab, where there very few women left in the future as they are being aborted out of control.
I don’t think our community will be very open to gay marriage has the punjabi is very macho culture and those are the communities hardest to be gay in.
thanks for this post. i was glad to hear some good news for change. i think it is our responsibility as sikhs who believe in social justice for ALL people (which is the most sikh of values) to fight for the inclusion of LGBT sikhs in our communities and to allow same-sex marriages to occur. that being said, check out this site which represents a movement and politics to fight for justice of LGBT people in a deeper and more meaningful way: http://beyondmarriage.org/
thanks for this post. i was glad to hear some good news for change. i think it is our responsibility as sikhs who believe in social justice for ALL people (which is the most sikh of values) to fight for the inclusion of LGBT sikhs in our communities and to allow same-sex marriages to occur. that being said, check out this site which represents a movement and politics to fight for justice of LGBT people in a deeper and more meaningful way: http://beyondmarriage.org/
I really do appreciate the fact that the LH as a Sikh blog has brought light to this….
I agree with Sonny =)
I really do appreciate the fact that the LH as a Sikh blog has brought light to this….
I agree with Sonny =)
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