What are the chances of gay marriage being repealed? (city hall, schools)

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by tangodoodles

Defeated in a good way right? Like in California yes meant no on gay marriage and no meant yes on gay marriage? Just clarifying because sometimes these things get confusing. But if you mean that gay marriage would stay legal then that is awesome. It's nice to see that it has been around and people who may not support it may have even gotten used to it.

You and I would probably say in a good way, those supporting it would say defeated in a bad way, but either way it would be defeated and gay marriage would remain legal. The state just passed a law allowing those from other states to marry here (removing a very old law that banned marriages where they wouldn't be recognized in the state of the participants), so there does seem to be legislative support behind gay marriage.

I don't think that those who oppose it have necessarily stopped opposing it or maybe even gotten used, but they probably realize that in a one-party ruled state where the don't have the support of that one party, there isn't much they can do about it. As far as everyone else, though, no one seems to care.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

You and I would probably say in a good way, those supporting it would say defeated in a bad way, but either way it would be defeated and gay marriage would remain legal. The state just passed a law allowing those from other states to marry here (removing a very old law that banned marriages where they wouldn't be recognized in the state of the participants), so there does seem to be legislative support behind gay marriage.

I don't think that those who oppose it have necessarily stopped opposing it or maybe even gotten used, but they probably realize that in a one-party ruled state where the don't have the support of that one party, there isn't much they can do about it. As far as everyone else, though, no one seems to care.

That's cool, now my only concern is the weather. Winter in California, even in the Central Valley away from the coast, is ridiculously mild and I'm afraid I'd get frostbite or something from not wearing a thick enough coat. Are there different rules or something for cleaning and driving? Do you have to do more for upkeep on your car because it gets wet from the snow?

[Ro-Dialin]

Originally Posted by tangodoodles

That's cool, now my only concern is the weather. Winter in California, even in the Central Valley away from the coast, is ridiculously mild and I'm afraid I'd get frostbite or something from not wearing a thick enough coat. Are there different rules or something for cleaning and driving? Do you have to do more for upkeep on your car because it gets wet from the snow?

You might be jumping the gun a bit. From what I understand there are teams of lawyers working on this proposition as to whether it is even valid or not. Gloria Allred seems to believe Prop 8 can't be upheld. Also, I might be wrong but don't you still have civil unions in CA, which I assume gives you the same rights as married couples?

[vivabigpapi]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

The chances are almost zero. Politicians don't want to touch the issue with a ten foot pole and they've figured out how not to. I do think that if the amendment made it to the ballot it would be soundly defeated, but I don't think we'll ever get that chance.

I don't know about that, I was talking to someone in Massachusetts he agrees with me when I say that if a same-sex marriage amendment were to sneak on the ballot in Massachusetts, that anywhere from 40%-51% would vote in favor of a Massachusetts same-sex marriage ban (even though to this day nothing has changed in Massachusetts since they started to allow same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts, I just think that most of the opponents of same-sex marriage who are citizens in Massachusetts or citizens of any other state that allows same-sex marriage don't want same-sex couples having even civil marriages).

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by Ro-Dialin

You might be jumping the gun a bit. From what I understand there are teams of lawyers working on this proposition as to whether it is even valid or not. Gloria Allred seems to believe Prop 8 can't be upheld. Also, I might be wrong but don't you still have civil unions in CA, which I assume gives you the same rights as married couples?

I'm straight actually, but I'm thinking about a change of scenery for law school and if I like it I might stick around. It would be awesome if the prop was overturned but I'm sick of stuff in California ending up on the ballot every year like the abortion issue. I'd rather be somewhere that it doesn't matter. Plus, I don't want to raise my kids in a place where people are allowed to write discrimination into the constitution via mob rule.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by vivabigpapi

I don't know about that, I was talking to someone in Massachusetts he agrees with me when I say that if a same-sex marriage amendment were to sneak on the ballot in Massachusetts, that anywhere from 40%-51% would vote in favor of a Massachusetts same-sex marriage ban.

That really sucks. What are the chances of an amendment getting on the ballot?

[CaseyB]

Like California, Massachusetts has the initiative petition process which could result in a ballot question. The last attempt, a couple of years ago, drew the largest amount of signatures ever for any ballot referendum. But unlike California, we have a requirement that it also be approved by a certain percentage of the the state legislature (not a majority) before it is allowed to actually make it as a ballot question. So, unlike California - there is a middle step involved.

From what I understand, Connecticut does not have the initiative and referendum process, and thus the only way to overturn a Supreme Court edict is through a constitutional convention which is very hard. So in that sense, that state would be a better choice if you are concerned about this.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Like California, Massachusetts has the initiative petition process which could result in a ballot question. The last attempt, a couple of years ago, drew the largest amount of signatures ever for any ballot referendum. But unlike California, we have a requirement that it also be approved by a certain percentage of the the state legislature (not a majority) before it is allowed to actually make it as a ballot question. So, unlike California - there is a middle step involved.

From what I understand, Connecticut does not have the initiative and referendum process, and thus the only way to overturn a Supreme Court edict is through a constitutional convention which is very hard. So in that sense, that state would be a better choice if you are concerned about this.

I like that Massachusetts has the middle step at least that makes it difficult for it to end up on the ballot and it is interesting that it is even harder to make changes in Connecticut. So, you know how Connecticut just legalized gay marriage, there won't be a vote to ban gay marriage in Connecticut? If not, that's pretty cool. Have they actually started handing out marriage licenses and all that?

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by tangodoodles

I like that Massachusetts has the middle step at least that makes it difficult for it to end up on the ballot and it is interesting that it is even harder to make changes in Connecticut. So, you know how Connecticut just legalized gay marriage, there won't be a vote to ban gay marriage in Connecticut? If not, that's pretty cool. Have they actually started handing out marriage licenses and all that?

I don't know what the dates are regarding Connecticut, but you could inquire on that forum.

[pjscdn]

Originally Posted by tangodoodles

I'm straight actually, but I'm thinking about a change of scenery for law school and if I like it I might stick around. It would be awesome if the prop was overturned but I'm sick of stuff in California ending up on the ballot every year like the abortion issue. I'd rather be somewhere that it doesn't matter. Plus, I don't want to raise my kids in a place where people are allowed to write discrimination into the constitution via mob rule.

While I understand your sentiments, do understand the situation in MA also may not be to your liking. Irrespective of your leanings on gay marriage, the gay marriage decision went straight to the MA courts, because the proponents knew they could not win via ballot or in the legislature. And as seen in other posts, it is very difficult here to get referendums by ballot to be accepted, especially in a one-party state, so you may feel like your voice is not heard. The legislature in the past has routinely, with the blessing of the courts, dismissed ballot questions passed by popular vote.

Here's a thought to ponder. When John Kerry ran for president in 2004, he would have to vacate his Senate seat if elected. In MA, the governor appoints a successor. However, at that time, the governor was Mitt Romney, a Republican. The legislature quickly passed a measure to create a special election instead, to eliminate the assurance of a Republican senator. Now, our governor, Deval Patrick, is a Democrat. John Kerry is on the short list for Secretary of State with the Obama admonistration. Given that, it'll be interesting to see if the legislature keeps their commitment to a special election, or reverses itself with another special measure to assure a Democratic replacement.

Myself, I respect the vote of the people, whether it's gay marriage or anything else that affects our lives. I support democracy, and the power of the ballot. What you may find different here, unlike many other places, is the perception that the people serve the government, rather than the government serve the people.