Wonky Muse

August 12, 2004

Speed Bump

It's not over yet. Though the California Supreme Court invalidated the gay marriages performed in San Francisco, it was more a judgment on the limits of Mayor Gavin Newsom's ability to question the law.

"The legal issue before us implicates the interest of all individuals in ensuring that public officials execute their official duties in a manner that respects the limits of the authority granted to them as officeholders," the court said.

Newsom believes that the state law banning discrimination supersedes the law banning gay marriage. The court's decision today isn't saying he's wrong; it's just saying that the mayor overstepped his bounds and the matter is for the courts, not the mayor, to decide.

As of today, several lawsuits have already been filed challenging the constitutionality of the ban on gay marriage, which may be heard by the state's highest court next year.

Today's ruling is a setback, but it's only a speed bump. All types of discrimination have received opposition in the beginning, but fairness and justice, which knows no race, color, creed or gender, will eventually prevail.

posted at 3:49 PM by Wonky Muse

+Save/Share | |