US Appeals Court Rules Against DOMAFollow

Baby steps.

Romney, in a bid to one-up Barry, will announce shortly that not only does he plan to abolish DOMA when he rules the land, but he'll also reveal that Ann is secretly a man.

I don't see this so much as a "win" for gay marriage, but rather a reaffirmation that the decision is (at the moment) up to the individual states (which Obama has previously stated, I think). The scope of the decision is so narrow that it's hard to argue this as any more than a clarification of basic principles of federalism.

Hence my lack of surprise that the two GOP-appointed justices ruled this way.

Yes, that's correct. However, given the recent trend of successful ballot initiatives which codify the traditional definition of marriage into state constitutions, one cannot help but wonder whether or not this will end up working against the gay marriage effort.

That's where the worry stems from.

Edit: and by that, I don't mean this case specifically, but rather the fight for gay marriage in general throughout the country, state by state.

Edited, May 31st 2012 2:51pm by Demea

I think it will. I showed the aggregate polling over the last 10-15 years in a previous thread and we've just hit parity for support versus opposition whereas you don't have to go far back to find 10 or 20 point spreads against it. It will take time for state legislatures to roll over enough to overturn laws or re-amend their constitutions and some states will of course hold out much longer than others (such as the N. Carolina vote). But the trend certainly seems to be in favor of SSM and I think eventually you'll even have GOP controlled legislatures allowing it.

One thing I didn't expect is that you're seeing a lot more acceptance of SSM since Obama came out openly in favor of it. Assuming these new numbers are legitimate, that can have a real impact going forward as African-Americans were one of the bastions of support anti-SSM advocates depended on (again, see N. Carolina and California).

That's because the people they elect go through a primary process that favors those who are against SSM because most Republicans (at least Republican primary voters) DO care. The fewer who care, the less often it'll matter in the primary process and the more people favorably inclined will take office.

You're aware of how we determine who wins an election, right?

Duh. It's in the Bible.

Inversely related to the number of words used to promote SSM. That's why it should be called equal marriage, can we really afford to wait 50% longer?

I can. 'Cause I'm a married straight guy.

At $20 a pop for marriage licenses, we'll be closing local budget holes in no time!

Edited, Jun 1st 2012 10:34am by Jophiel

Mine was $35.