California's Supreme Court rules ban on Same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Image via Wikipedia

The State of California has begun the process of becoming the second state in the United States to allow for Same-Sex Marriage, ruling that the ban as it stands is unconstitutional in a 4-3 ruling. Marvellous. Another reason to love the State of California. :-).

The full story is on the BBC website and their Blurb is as follows.

California lifts gay marriage ban:

California's top court has ruled that a state law banning marriage between same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

The state's Supreme Court ruled that the "right to form a family relationship" applied to all Californians regardless of sexuality.

The ban was approved by voters in 2000 but challenged by gay rights activists and the city of San Francisco.

California's legislature has twice passed laws to make gay marriage legal but the state governor has vetoed them.

The ruling paves the way for California to become only the second US state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriage, although more challenges are expected.

The seven-judge panel voted 4-3 in favour of the plaintiffs who argued that the 2000 law was discriminatory.

"Limiting the designation of marriage to a union 'between a man and a woman' is unconstitutional and must be stricken from the statute," California Chief Justice Ron George said in the written opinion.

The decision is expected to re-invigorate the fight for same-sex marriage rights nationwide, say gay activists.

Source & Cont'd: BBC.co.uk

MarriagEquality Conference in TCD

A quick note from MarriagEquality about an upcoming conference which is being organised in Trinity.

The Irish School of Ecumenics is holding a two-day conference this month on 'Why Marriage? Love and Justice in 21st Century Ireland'. The conference provides a framework for Christians to move towards an understanding and acceptance of same-sex unions and marriages.

The response to the conference has been very positive to-date and with only one week to go, members of the public are invited to attend the public debate on Wednesaday 21st May or to reserve a place for the all-day seminar on Thursday 22nd.

On the first day, Wednesday 21 May, there will be a public lecture on 'Equality and Just Love: A Framework for a Christian Ethic' by Professor Margaret Farley of Yale Divinity School. It will take place in the Walton Theatre, Arts Block, TCD, at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

The next day, Thursday 22, there will be an all-day seminar in IIIS Seminar Room, Level 6, TCD A rts Building, beginning at 9.30am. The seminar sessions will examine same-sex marriage from theological, legal and ecclesiastical perspectives. Seminar places are very limited, so booking is essential. The booking form can be downloaded from the ISE website, http://www.tcd.ie/ise/news/events.php.

About the visiting Professor
Professor Emeritus Margaret Farley of Yale Divinity school is the keynote speaker at the event and author of several books including 'Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics.

Farley has written more than 90 articles on topics such as celibacy, AIDS and faith, divorce, feminism and embryonic stem cell research and how they relate to religion. In addition, she has lectured on these topics in communities across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Professort Farley will provide a framework that allows for the acceptance of same-sex unions and marriages within the Christian community.

We hop e to see you there.

Moninne Griffith

Coordinator

MarriagEquality