HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 10) – Connecticut’s Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions through the courts.The ruling comes just weeks before Californians go to the polls on a historic gay-marriage ballot question, the first time the issue will be put before voters in a state where same-sex couples are legally wed. The 4-3 ruling is the first time that a state that had willingly offered an alternative to marriage was told by a court that civil unions aren’t enough to protect the rights of gay couples. Connecticut was the first state to voluntarily pass laws to affirm civil unions.
Same story — gay right is a Church/state Separation issue, not a gay-only issue. Here is a statement from our President Ed Buckner:
“American Atheists, Incorporated, is a civil rights organization for Atheists, not a gay rights organization. Our members do not all share the same opinions on every issue related to gay rights. We do not endorse political candidates or parties. There appears, however, to be little doubt that campaigns like the one currently underway in California in support of Proposition 8 are in fact attempts by religionists to impose their religious beliefs through the political process–and that is unconstitutional and unacceptable. Lack of religious approval for a legally sanctioned union between two people has no business being considered in anything except the internal affairs of the religious group that disapproves. Church business is already supported, outrageously and unconstitutionally, by our national tax laws. Churches or other religious entities have no right to impose their backward ideas on the rest of us.”
Well, the USA is sort of a social experiment. The reason we have states is so that we can try things on a small scale and see if it works or not, and then decide if we want to make it happen at the federal level. (as opposed to making something huge happen that turns out to effect all of us without first testing it on a smaller population)
Anyhow, I vaguely hypothesize that the “CT Gay Marriage” experiment will reveal things both good and bad about gay marriage, but realistically I’m somewhat of a pessimist in that department. Maybe this will prove my preconceptions wrong though.
As a gay-married man my perspective is undeniably biased, with that said I welcome this decision.
I am a bit worried that my fellow citizens in California may decide in a few more weeks that my marriage must come to an end. After all, it’s not hurting anyone.
Good for Connecticut.
This is great news and to all of those who want to deny me my right to choose marriage to another man I ask for one secular argument against gay marriage. Just one.
Man-on-dog sex (kidding)
that was a balanced approach by ED.Buckner but it needs to be made clear to a willfully ignorant of the facts public that Atheists support laws against pedophila,incest etc.that we are not a anything goes group.
Uh, what does marriage equality have to do with paedophila or incest? why would anyone need to make that distinction when talking about gays?
Alex:
I just threw in Former Sen. Sanitarium for a laugh (at his expense, since he got fired for making this remark, and for being a douche in general). I apologize since it appears to have gone over like a lead balloon.
I support gay marriage completely. That is one of the reasons why I oppose Barack Obama. I don’t believe “Separate But Equal” marriages (aka Civil Unions) are fair. I won’t vote for a man that doesn’t support full and equal marriage access under law.
Godless Sodomite
i am not comparing gays to pedophiles.i am saying that American Atheists need to be clear and proactive in defining itself and the members.where we stand on issues like age of consent and so on because if not you can bet the enemies of American Atheists will try to define us.they would have the public believe we are capable of the most vile of acts.they fooled alot of folks into thinking we tried to ban religion on tv for goodness sakes.
Off Topic:
A USGS report released recently says we could produce about half our current energy needs via geothermal. Wow… this is way more than most of us thought possible.
link:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2027
reason:
here,here…I second the motion.
Marriage is a secular, civil contract between two people, who pledge to be responsible for each other, especially as regards property and income. It has no religious meaning whatsoever. All the wedding fol-de-rol is extra trimming on the wedding cake. ANY two people, who are of the age of consent, should be able to enter into a marriage contract. I am in California, and I will definitely vote NO on Prop. 8. It’s the only sensible thing to do.
PBS has an online poll asking whether Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP. The RR has heard about it and has flooded the poll. Do your part and vote at:
http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html
Speaking of marriage … When will we hear teen wedding bells ringing for Palin’s daughter and the reluctant groom? Ah, the sanctity of it all.
Two adults loving each other cannot be wrong. This issue is one of the most glaring examples of how religion gets it wrong. Glad to see more states using reason.
Comment from: What
Wow…I thought the RR was out of business…”what do I know”, you poor fool. Could it actually be that Palin is more qualified with executive experience then anyone on the ticket…?
Nah…
Odd that this occurred on the same day…
Once again…your thread proves the “myth” is a one way street…
CT will also allow out of state gay couples to marry there.
Dont be surprised to see more states follw the example of CA, MA, and now CT.
Im so happy!
phreedm
Once again… your comments prove that religious conservatives are bigoted dicks.
Gotta load up that shotgun first!
Good for Connecticut…another 250 years and Texas will follow suit.
Defenders of Marriage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bja2ttzGOFM&feature=user
godless sodomite,
I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Mr Zimmerman perform live at a conference sponsored by the Skeptic Society. When he did Defenders of Marriage I darn near had to use my asthma inhaler, I laughed so hard. We are quite fond of Roy Zimmerman at our house.
I am glad to see progress towards gay marriage in this country. unfortunately it has come at such a high cost and such emotional turmoil. I may never see that right in this state(NE). But I know I will see it in my Birth state of IA.
PS. I used to be a regular poster here many moons ago. so it is good to be back. Bianca formerly Udonman.
Hey Udongirl!
Welcome back!