As bad as the situation is in California, there is more than a glimmer of hope. (It is ironic to use Obama’s favorite word in this context, for the president-elect favors only civil unions, not full marriage rights.)
A host of groups are preparing to argue in the California courts that Proposition 8 — the name of the measure that rolled back same-sex marriage rights — is itself unlawful, since proposals that would significantly change the constitution must be approved by the state legislature before they can be put to a statewide vote.
The Phoenix joins with people of goodwill everywhere who hope that a legal challenge to California’s bigoted and prejudiced nullification of marriage rights meets with success. The Age of Bush is over. It is time to banish its spirit — forever.
Youth votes
Here’s a scary thought: if young voters who went to the polls in historically high numbers had split their votes evenly, McCain and Palin would have won.
Obama’s win was rooted in wide support across the political spectrum. But votes from young Americans, as well as African-Americans, Hispanics, and women — combined with the lower turnout by conservatives — resulted in a resounding victory.
Building on a foundation laid by the previous insurgent candidacy of former Vermont governor Howard Dean, who will soon step down as the head of the Democratic National Committee, Obama proved that the way to engage young voters is to inspire them, to make it clear that their interests, hopes, dreams, and vision count.
The good news amid the reports of gay-rights setbacks is that nationally, young voters take a broader view of human rights than do their elders. Whatever their political leanings, they trend to favor equal rights for gays and lesbians.
In other words, the power of demographics lies behind the movement to grant marriage rights to all.
Make no mistake, this observation is not a suggestion that the fight to grant equality to all should flag for even a moment. Rather, it is a reaffirmation of hope, a reminder that even as new impediments are enacted — as they were in California, Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas — those of us who seek justice can go forward secure in the knowledge that time, as well as right, is on our side.
