Same Sex Marriage Ban in California
In February 2008, Jo and myself chose to exercise our right as consenting adults to marry. We crafted a pagan ceremony which was meaningful to us, and were married by Patrick McCollum (who also created our rings). During the ceremony we called on pre-Christian deities using authentic ancient spells to sanctify our union.
Jo and I would not have been happy with any other sort of wedding. To choose a celebrant from one of the mainstream churches, or even a civil celebrant, would have been a betrayal of our beliefs. We strongly believe that all adults over the age of consent should have the right to marry whomever they choose, and have the ceremony of their choice.
Today, on 26 May, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. The only silver lining on this cloud was that it also decided that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who had tied the knot before the law took effect would stay wed.
The California Constitution is supposed to guarantee equality. Clearly, here we have a segment of the community who are being denied their right to marry the person of their choice.
Proposition 8 was passed by a very narrow margin at the last election. 52.24% voted yes and 47.76% voted no.
Given the importance of issues being voted on, including Proposition 8, it is sad that voter turnout wasn’t closer to 100%.
We can only speculate whether Proposition 8 would have still been passed had all registered voters cast their ballots.
In California, the situation for gay and lesbian couples now reverts to being limited to registering as domestic partners. Enacted in 1999, domestic partnerships enjoyed very few privileges initially, but in 2007, they were afforded most of the same rights and responsibilities as marriages under state law. In general, the rights of civil unions do not transfer from state to state like marriage. California domestic partnerships are however, recognized as equivalent to civil partnerships in New Jersey, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.