8 is enough – One law for all people

I ventured down the hill to Castro & Market after noon to check reaction. Protesters are beginning to assemble at the little plaza just created – now (see photo) being designated Gwen Araujo plaza. For now the TV journalists outnumber the protesters but people are upset.

What do we do next? Perhaps we need to step back. If marriage is ’sacred’ and of its essence a religious rite, let’s get our laws changed to deprecate the status of marriage to the same as baptism, bar-mitvah-ing and the like. In order for a union of any two people to have civil force, tax consequences and legal recognition by the State of California, let all couples become registered domestic partners. One law for All!

White nights anniversary, Prop 8 ruling imminent?

The SF police were deploying barricades around the Castro yesterday, most likely in anticipation of a ruling from the state Supreme Court on Prop 8, and possibly linked with today’s anniversary of the “White Night” riots – May 21, 1979 – when the court handed down the most lenient sentence to Dan White for his murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone.

Towleroad reported that Mayor Newsom had asked the Court to delay release of its ruling so as not to coincide with the anniversary – and this has been denied by the Mayor’s Office (via Towleroad).

Vermont okays gay marriage

Towleroad reports that both houses of the Vermont legislature have voted this morning to override the veto of Gov. Jim Douglas, making marriage a reality for gays in that state. This on the heels of last week’s unanimous ruling in favor by the Iowa Supreme Court.

The Senate voted 23-5, overriding the veto by a wide margin, while the House squeaked through with a 2/3 majority with a 100-47 vote.