Judge Rules that Gay Marriage in California Should Not Be Barred

Monday was a big win for gay rights and couples wishing for the chance to wed. California's Supreme Court ruled that the ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, and that there is "no rational purpose" for gay couples to be denied the rights everyone else shares. Gay rights supporters believe this win is a big step in the fight for fair and equal treatment for the gay community countrywide.

Although couples filing for domestic partnership as of January 1 2008 receive the same rights as married couples, (divorce court rights, insurance through domestic partner, child support, ECT.)Heterosexual couples receive this right as well in certain states. For example, I live in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a domestic partner state, meaning they recognize domestic partners as a committed couple, not married, but a committed couple.

Since I cohabitate with my male fiancé, I am entitled to domestic partnership benefits, such as medical coverage. Therefore, even I partake in the right of certain benefits under the domestic partner law. This is my right as an engaged woman in Oklahoma. Therefore, to say that the domestic partnership law is equivocal to marriage, it is not, because I have more rights than a gay couple. I could easily get married; gay couples cannot.

In a few conversations I had with my good friend Yvette about what gay marriage would mean to her and her girlfriend Felicia, she stated that she would love to have the option to get married if the time ever came. My friend Dimitrius, a male friend of mine who also happens to be gay, is not in a committed relationship at this time, but has been in the past, and he too would love to have the chance to marry Mr. Right.

As for how this affects me, when it comes to this ruling, I feel nothing but joy for my friends, whom this ruling affects. Being a heterosexual woman, I never had to feel the anger gay people feel when it comes to not having the right to marry someone with whom they share a deep love and commitment. Those who commit to another person should have every right to make that commitment a legal one, not just in their eyes, but also in the eyes of the country, regardless of their sexuality. With this ruling also comes another hurdle, conservatives that vow to take advantage of an appeal process.

Some conservatives state that this is going to be "gasoline for the fire," but for who's fire? Only time will tell if this latest court decision will be upheld or shot down, all I know is that if gay marriage comes into fruition, I will proudly stand beside my gay friends at the wedding alter as each give their vowels of faithfulness!