Shuck and Jive


Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Fighting for Equality in California & Tennessee

California's Proposition Eight goes before the California Supreme Court tomorrow. It looks like it could be overturned. This is from U.S. News:
"We're talking about a radical revision to our Constitution," says Mark Leno, an openly gay state senator from San Francisco who has sponsored several bills passed by lawmakers in the past few years that would have legalized same-sex marriage, only to see Schwarzenegger veto them. "Do we have a constitutional democracy in California, or do we have mob rule, where a majority of Californians can change the Constitution at any time?"
It is time for a federal law guaranteeing rights of all citizens including marriage.

The following is from Chris at Tennessee Equality Project who provides some interesting comments about anger.




Chris also points out that the Memphis Commercial Appeal has opposed the adoption ban before the Tennessee legislature. This is an excellent statement:
Couples who want to adopt in Tennessee are carefully screened to determine their ability to deal with a child's behavior. Their strengths are matched with the child's needs. A detailed study of their household includes medical and financial statements and references.

Whatever their motivations, politicians should not attempt to overrule the judgment of DCS professionals about who is fit to adopt and what is in the best interest of children in the care of the state.

There has never been a stampede to adopt children in Tennessee, especially minority children, children who are more than 8 years old and children with disabilities.

There are many important issues that will help determine children's future happiness, security and success. They need stable, caring, responsible parents with a good home.

Such parents can be found among married couples as well as those whose bonds are not formal but are stable and strong.

2 comments:

  1. I'm hoping Prop 8 will be overturned but it's hard to predict right now (over two hours into oral arguments). Neither my wife or I got much sleep last night and I even had nightmares because of the anxiety over this. We just want a decision so we can know where we stand. All of this legal limbo has been so frustrating.

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  2. I can only guess at your frustration and anxiety - much less confusion as to why it is such an issue in the first place.

    I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing. I've heard that if they do, the right is prepared to mount a campaign to have the justices recalled.

    What a waste of time and effort.

    In any case, I wish you the best of luck, and that you can be a source of comfort and joy to one another, regardless of the outcome.

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