Proposition 8, Repealed - What's Next for Gay Rights?

Proposition 8 was repealed after it was passed by California voters. The controversial law made same-sex marriage illegal in California, despite the legalization of gay marriage in San Francisco years earlier. San Francisco along with gay couples sued the state, and Judge Vaughn Walker agreed that the law was unconstitutional.

Appeals have already been filed, showcasing that this battle is far from being over. However, this is as expected - the fight for gay rights has become a modern day civil rights movement. As such, the fight will likely go all the way to the Supreme Court.

What will the end result be? Vaughn Walker's ruling will be used as precedent for other cases. Although same-sex marriage isn't legalized in all states, it's likely that the recent ruling will pave the way for more states to legalize the unions.

There have already been advances in offering the same benefits to same-sex couples as their heterosexual counterparts. Many companies allow insurance coverage on families with domestic partnerships. Adoptions are also possible.

Proposition 8 passed, and then was deemed unconstitutional. The further rulings of higher courts will further expand this issue and likely change the landscape of marriage as we know it.

Prop8 Ruling: Carly Fiorina, Barbara Boxer Disagree with Vaughn Walker’s decision

The Prop8 ruling has catalyzed the core of the gay rights movement. In California , judge Vaughn Walker overturned the voter-approved measure which banned gay marriage in the state.  San Francisco with the support of gay couples challenged the law, and successfully got it overturned.

An appeal has been filed, and we expect that the issue will make it all the way to the US Supreme Court before all is said and done.

The Senate Race in California is already setting up a debate, with Republican hopeful and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina stating that she’s against the judges ruling, citing that voters in California spoke their desires.  Barbara Boxer disagrees with her opponent, and cites that it’s an important step towards equal rights.

Diane Feinstein, another Senator from California who is not up for re-election right now is also supportive of the recent ruling.

While many are against the ruling, many are for it as well.  Gay rights is our modern-day civil rights movement, and it will be interesting to see how this case impacts the rest of the country

Glenn Beck and Prop8: Library Removes Gay Book While Prop8 Overturned

Glenn Beck requested libraries to remove copies of the book, "Revolutionary Voices" is the name of the book, and Glenn Beck calls it "child pornography." Gay rights activists are pointing to the possibility that Beck's problem with the book lies in it being about same-sex relationships.

While libraries in New Jersey are removing "Revolutionary Voices" from their shelves, a judge thousands of miles away, in California, made a ruling that Prop8 is unconstitutional. Proposition 8 is the Gay Marriage ban that was voted into law in California. Appeals are expected.

So we have two opposite reactions to the Gay rights movement. On one hand, an anthology of first person accounts of same-sex relationships is getting removed from shelves of libraries during Glenn Beck's 9.12 program, while a Federal judge has ruled that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

Gay rights, immigration, health care, and unemployment are all going to play big roles in the upcoming elections. What do you think about Glenn Beck getting a book removed from libraries, and what do you think about the overturning of Prop8?

Reference: USA Today

California Proposition 8 2010 - Judge Rules Anti-Gay Marriage Law Unconstitutional

California's proposition 8 has opposition.  Today - in 2010,  judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the proposition 8 anti-gay marriage law is unconstitutional.  After the passage of prop 8, the city of San Francisco and a couple of gay couples sued the state to stop the law from going in to effect.

The law previously passed with voter support on a ballot.

This is a battle won, but doesn't mark the end of the war.  There will likely be many more steps for this bill to overcome before we can say that it has been successfully overturned. The fight could go all the way to the Supreme Court - where a ruling would be a landmark for gay rights activists.

The attitude in California was rather celebratory.  Celebrities such as Ellen, Kim Kardashian, and more all applaud the judges ruling.

Many are concerned about the law, claiming that marriage is an institution between one man and one woman, and has been for the past millennium. Still others say it's time for a change, and time for same-sex couples to reap the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.  What are your thoughts on the matter?