Supreme Court - Day Two

Why do I care so very much about Gay Rights? I live in a traditional heterosexual relationship with a husband who has been my life's partner for more than 30 years. I am not gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Although I do have friends and relatives who are lesbian, they are not a driving force in my life. No. I am a believer in HUMAN rights, and that includes the right to marry the person you love, raise a family, and have equality under the law for health, inheritance, and taxes. Watch the video below. Don't they deserve the right to marry and raise their family together? Don't their vows and their love bring you to tears? They brought me to tears, but weddings always do make me cry.

I downloaded the Supreme Court transcript from the Proposition 8 case heart on Tuesday during the middle of the afternoon and have been nose-deep in it when possible since. It's available on several sources if you're interested in reading it. As a PDF, it's 82 pages total - not too bad. And it has its funny places - there are some wicked senses of humor sitting on that court.

I will make sure to download today's transcript also. In many ways today's arguments are even more important. Today the Supreme Court hears testimony about the Defense of Marriage Act. At this point in time, even if two people exist in a same-sex marriage that is legally performed, the rights that an opposite sex spouse would have are not carried over. Thus, when one spouse dies, the other one is socked with taxes that normally wouldn't exist in a standard marriage. This is just one example of many, many laws that are unjust and that unfairly penalize same-sex couples. Many of the Senators who initially had voted for and supported the Defense of Marriage Act have pulled their support away and would not approve it today if it came back up. It's time to get rid of this dinosaur that is penalizing so many people.

I have changed my Avatar today to indicate my solidity with those who are fighting this battle. Gay Rights are more that just love, although that's a strong foundation. Gay Rights are Civil Rights. These are people who share our daily lives yet rights that most of us take for granted are forbidden to them. Turn your thoughts and prayers to the Supreme Court today and let's see justice done.