Same-Sex Marriage Begins Today

Same-sex marriage begins today in California.  It’s a major moment in our history, one to celebrate.  Thousands of couples will marry between now and November.  For many, it’s finally a government validation of long term relationships, some more than 50 years.  Domestic partnerships filled some of that void, but there was still a gap.  Society recognizes marriage.  It’s natural for gays and lesbians to want that recognition as well.  So marriages begin tonight!

But there’s still a lot of work left to do.  There’s a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November that needs to be defeated.  But as the linked article points out, that still may not be the last word in California.  Ballot measures can be re-submitted over and over; there is no limit to the number of times that we may have to vote on this.  And there’s still the specter of state litigation if the measure passes.  And then there is the federal government left to tackle.  I don’t see Congress getting a law through to repeal DOMA.  So then it’s left to the courts, probably the Supreme Court.  And how will they decide?  That’s the big question.  I think that the thousands of people who marry in California (and Massachusetts) will show that the world isn’t going to end and heterosexual marriage won’t be harmed simply because a woman marries her long-time partner.

So there’s a lot to celebrate today.  But much needs to be done before celebrations can really begin.