Gay Marriage Legal Again in California

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

In what some will see as victory and others defeat, the California Supreme Court made history today when it overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage.

What Does It All Mean?

First and foremost, there are a lot of gay couples rejoicing right about now. This was an enormous decision which ultimately resulted in triumph for the gay rights movement.

Second of all, and perhaps most importantly and which will cause those opposed to gay marriage the most distress, is that the ruling sets a precedent.

Domestic Partners vs. Married: Rights

California already allowed same-sex couples domestic partner rights, as long as the couples registered as such. By allowing them to marry, they're now entitled to the same rights as heterosexual married couples.

What does all that mean? I wasn't sure about that, I guess because I take so much for granted as a married woman. Such as being able to file taxes together, estate planning considerations, receiving health benefits, government benefits (i.e. Social Security, Disability, or Medicare benefits), employment benefits (like being able to take family leave if I needed to care for him during an illness), medical benefits (visitation rights and making decisions for him if he's incapacitated while in the hospital), after death benefits (making burial arrangements and dealing with post partum exams and procedures)...the list goes on.

California's domestic partner laws first started out very limited, but later were expanded to include more of the above rights. More, but not all. After today's ruling, gay couples will be able to receive all those rights.

The Great Debate

Is it right or is it wrong?

Everyone has their opinions about this issue. (As is evident from some of the related articles I listed below. This has made for great debate here at Families.com.)

I happen to think it can only help us as a society. That's going to infuriate some, and I apologize in advance. It's simply my opinion. I don't make the laws. (If I did, it would have been legal long ago and I would have focused my attention on making laws to reform healthcare.)

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Gay Marriage Debate Gets Heated at Families.com

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Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

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