Let me be among the first to congratulate the many loving, same-sex couples in the State of California who, as of August 18, may begin getting married, a civil right I as a heterosexual have enjoyed since I was legally an adult.
Yep, that's right. Judge Vaughn Walker, the chief judge in the Federal District Court of San Francisco, who overturned Proposition 8 last week, has lifted his temporary stay on same-sex marriages as of August 18. That's only six days away - friends, I hope you all have fabulous wedding planners! I hope August 18 is a celebration of happy days to come.
I think the issue of marriage as a civil liberty is a no-brainer - two consenting adults of any gender should be able to marry. To deny people that right is archaic. It's bigoted. It's hateful.
I know the battle ahead will be tough for these couples. Opponents of Proposition 8 can possibly expect another stay for their ceremonies, another denial of their rights. This case will probably reach the Supreme Court of the United States. Evidence of the continued difficulties faced can be found in the headline of the Los Angeles Times: Judge keeps gay marriage ruling on hold. On hold...it indicates that the decision is still far from final.
And people are still on hold, holding their breath in hopes they can truly move on with their lives on August 18.
But today, let's celebrate hope. Hope that next week, gay couples all over California can join those in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont in their simple, undeniable right to marry one another.
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