It’s yet another good day for marriage equality from one side of the country to the other, with delightful decisions in Colorado and Pennsylvania.
In Colorado, Judge Andrew Hartman ruled that Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall can continue issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples, even though the state’s marriage ban hasn’t been overturned yet. That alone would be cause for celebration, but his decision is so strongly worded it’s enough to make our anti-gay opponents’ heads explode.
Hartman compared Hall to Martin Luther King Jr, pointing out that she is simply disregarding an unjust law. He added that there’s no harm in letting gays and lesbians wed; and that the law is likely to be overturned anyway.
Following the decision, clerks in Denver and Pueblo County announced they would begin issuing licenses as well.
Take that, NOM.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, marriage equality is safer than ever, and it’s thanks to an unlikely ally: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Yes, that Samuel Alito, the Catholic conservative who ruled in 2000 that an anti-harassment policy violates free speech. The same justice who just handed down the shameful Hobby Lobby ruling.
Alito just turned down an attempt by a right-wing Pennsylvania clerk to halt marriage equality in that state.
The clerk really didn’t have much a chance here, but nice try anyway, loser. After PA Governor Tom Corbett decided not to defend the marriage ban, it was pretty much dead. But Clerk Theresa Santai-Gaffney tried to step in and defend it in his place anyway.
She’s been blocked at every step of the way, and now her challenge is just about over. She could appeal Alito’s ruling to the entire U. S. Supreme Court, but that’s even less likely to succeed than any of her previous failed attempts. When you get hitched in the keystone state, you may want to avoid Theresa’s desk.
Bye, Felicia.
masc4masc
IIIII have a dreeeeaaam…huh…that one day right there in Colorado… huh…little gay boys will be able to join hands with other little gay boys as husband and husband…huh! Praise Gawwwd!
Mezaien
@masc4masc: I am not sure what you try to say?, but you sound way to much of a Christian, to me 🙁 .
Xzamilloh
It’s always nice to see two trolls at opposite ends of the spectrum interacting.
hudson
@Xzamilloh: lol
Cam
Love that clerk.
As for Alito, he probably realizes that gay issues are a huge loser for the GOP and if they tried to fight them, it would lead to election losses. Nice that Marriage is safe in PA, but my guess is, Alito did it more to protect the GOP than for an actual belief. Either way, good decision though.
ka_1984
@Xzamilloh hahaha! 😀
Lvng1tor
@masc4masc: Ya know when you aren’t being a argumentative troll…you’re pretty funny!
masc4masc
@Lvng1tor: Thanks. I do a pretty decent Pacino too.
mcflyer54
@masc4masc: a lot of us have the same dream and we thank you for your support. And that dream is coming true daily for many and soon for all of us.
Frank
Since this was the most recent gay marriage post, I wanted to add something.
I did not get married in my state, but in one next to my state. My state is still currently in the appeals process ATM, and never allowed any gay marriages to take place. But I am kind of glad I didn’t get married in my state after 30 years with my partner. Why you may ask? Because all marriages are publicly posted online by all the states. And my state is a rabid rats nest of Christian Baptist homophobia. So I would much prefer to be listed on an out of state marriage database from where I live, than on an in state one. Because of… reasons.
Just something to think about if you want to tie the knot, girlfriends.
SteveDenver
Our local news channel, 9News.com, has a lively comment blog. When it was announced yesterday that Pueblo’s clerk commenced with offering marriage licenses and Denver’s clerk was planning to begin officiating marriages for “all law-abiding adult couples,” there were a couple of objections. I pointed out that these clerks were placing their careers on the line to do so. That the decision to move forward harmed no one. And that neither clerk is personally GLBT, but clearly understands bias has been legally upheld for too long.
I told him that he could join the dismissal efforts already begun against these clerks, and that an answer in the form of allies making ourselves known would soon be available.
These are exciting days in Colorado, led by county clerks who realized it is within their power to FORCE attention on this issue. It is heartening how many people could stand in their way, but are not doing so.
Queer4Life
I like some of what Queerty produces. Trash like this however is beneath this site and its readers. Somebody seriously needs to do a reality check. MLK was not a “good guy”. Seriously someone needs to read “A renegade history of the United States”. Wake the hell up people. Inculturation is not your friend. By the thousand gods when did the government become the friend of the queer? Doesn’t anyone remember Stonewall? Does anyone remember the AIDS scare? Wake up.
Politics is not your friend. There is this belief that if we can just wrestle the power out of the hands of those damn conservatives… Consider two things. First power corrupts. Second what happens when the opposition takes power? You think they will just let whatever changes are made stand? No this is not a battle won in the ballot box. This is a battle won in the mind. The only way to win equal rights is to change the mind of the every day man. If we win them over, or at least don’t have their opposition then we win. Then these sociopaths can’t just do whatever the hell they want and walk all over us.
What is happening to queers? We are loosing our identity.
Remember Stonewall! Don’t ask for their permission. Don’t try to fit in. Be who you are and let the world know if they don’t like it they can go F*** themselves.
EGO
And marriage equality advances onward. Most people will learn and change to join us in this century. Unfortunately there are some thick-heads that refuse to learn and they block knowledge from their brains.