Judge Strikes Down Pennsylvania Gay Marriage Ban

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And this is not just some loony, liberal judge either. This is a judge that was appointed to the federal bench by George W Bush. And that's not enough. According to Conservapedia he was recommended for the job by none other than Pennsylvania's own Rick Santorum. Yes, that Rick Santorum. It's almost like Rick Santorum himself opened the door to gay marriage in Pennsylvania. Oh, the irony.

Judge Strikes Down Pennsylvania Gay Marriage Ban

By ERIK ECKHOLM

MAY 20, 2014

Continuing a rush of rulings that have struck down marriage limits across the country, a federal judge in Pennsylvania on Tuesday declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.

“We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history,” wrote Judge John E. Jones III of Federal District Court in a decision posted on Tuesday afternoon.

Pennsylvania is the last of the Northeast states with a ban on same-sex marriage and, if Tuesday’s ruling is not successfully challenged, it will become the 19th state to permit gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Judge Jones did not issue a stay, writing, “By virtue of this ruling, same-sex couples who seek to marry in Pennsylvania may do so, and already married same-sex couples will be recognized as such in the Commonwealth.”

Even as Gov. Tom Corbett said he was studying the decision and considering whether to appeal it, state officials began issuing marriage licenses Tuesday afternoon to overjoyed gay couples.

...

Judge Jones, in his ruling, said: “We now join the 12 federal district courts across the country, which, when confronted with these inequities in their own states, have concluded that all couples deserve equal dignity in the realm of civil marriage.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/us/judge-strikes-down-pennsylvania-ban-on-gay-marriage.html?_r=0

Edited May 20, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I'm not going to say if I am for or against, but I will say this

If you don't like, don't look. There are many different places you can turn your eyeballs to.

[JohnR! 5,495]

And this is not just some loony, liberal judge either. This is a judge that was appointed to the federal bench by George W Bush. And that's not enough. According to Conservapedia he was recommended for the job by none other than Pennsylvania's own Rick Santorum. Yes, that Rick Santorum. It's almost like Rick Santorum himself opened the door to gay marriage in Pennsylvania. Oh, the irony.

I was thinking the same thing... It just doesn't get any more conservative than this... Which tells us all that our country is heading towards the right direction still. Human rights win and the T's lose.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I was thinking the same thing... It just doesn't get any more conservative than this... Which tells us all that our country is heading towards the right direction still. Human rights win and the T's lose.

Ted Olson charted the way making a very compelling conservative case for gay marriage.

Always a good read.

The Conservative Case For Gay Marriage

[JohnR! 5,495]

I remember when this copy came out. Olson was all but crucified by the fifth columnists.... Again, more signs that many Americans want our country to be on the right side of history.

Even the most conservative of those in my circle were always for marriage equality, which makes sense because other than unawareness, there is no reason to oppose any couple from partaking in the joys of getting married and building a family together.

Edited May 21, 2014 by Gegel

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I remember when this copy came out. Olson was all but crucified by the fifth columnists.... Again, more signs that many Americans want our country to be on the right side of history.

Oh, I remember that too. But I said then as I say now that marriage discrimination will not stand. Marriage equality will be reality in my lifetime. I will admit that this is happening much faster than I thought it would. But that's a good thing. Progress can't be stopped. Progress won't be stopped. Delayed perhaps, but never stopped. In the end, progressives always win.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I just have to say that I am so ridiculously pleased to see the speed at which these bans are toppling now. I've been a little worried that maybe my decision to move to the US with my wife was a bad one. I still don't think I'll have anything approaching equality anywhere outside of university towns, but at least my marriage will be recognized in more and more places.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I just have to say that I am so ridiculously pleased to see the speed at which these bans are toppling now. I've been a little worried that maybe my decision to move to the US with my wife was a bad one. I still don't think I'll have anything approaching equality anywhere outside of university towns, but at least my marriage will be recognized in more and more places.

University towns are not always the best places depending on where it is. I say big cities are the better choice. I know the crime can be a little nasty, but they have some of everybody there they have no time to disturb you, there are too many to chose from.

One of the things I liked when I visited Auckland. So many people from some of everywhere was there. Nobody cared about me.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I just have to say that I am so ridiculously pleased to see the speed at which these bans are toppling now. I've been a little worried that maybe my decision to move to the US with my wife was a bad one. I still don't think I'll have anything approaching equality anywhere outside of university towns, but at least my marriage will be recognized in more and more places.

I agree . I am conservative leaning, but equal rights is equal rights for all, not just those who lead the same life style you do.

I think many conservatives share this belief

[JohnR! 5,495]

I just have to say that I am so ridiculously pleased to see the speed at which these bans are toppling now. I've been a little worried that maybe my decision to move to the US with my wife was a bad one. I still don't think I'll have anything approaching equality anywhere outside of university towns, but at least my marriage will be recognized in more and more places.

To be sure, you're most likely to find enlightenment outside the bible belt, but slowly people will learn that their neighbors are just like themselves, regardless of what they do in their bedroom, and their families no different because their kids have two dads or two moms. Inexorably, time marches on.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

The Gay marriage ban was also overturned in Idaho this week.. Though it was only legal for the better part of a day before it was put on hold for the appeal.. Still, most are predicting even here it will be legal before too long.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

University towns are not always the best places depending on where it is. I say big cities are the better choice. I know the crime can be a little nasty, but they have some of everybody there they have no time to disturb you, there are too many to chose from.

One of the things I liked when I visited Auckland. So many people from some of everywhere was there. Nobody cared about me.

Well, I do love big cities, but I am currently stuck with an immediate future in a state where the only place I feel safe existing happens to be a university town. Big cities, I concede, might be as good/better, but my wife's work means we need to be near universities and my experience so far in life has been 'the more universities a town/city has, the more forward thinking it is.' I'm sure there are exceptions--certain religious based institutions come to mind for sure--but we're likely to be part of university communities, which tend to be full of people who care more about science and learning (at least in my wife's field) and less about whose hand you're holding, fortunately.