Sunday, November 16, 2008

Gay marriage: protests over election setbacks

I think of bans on who can marry whom as being pure cases of repugnant transactions, namely transactions that some people don't want other people to be able to participate in. In the case of gay marriage, we're seeing the beginning of the end of an ancient ban, but it may not come easily.

The NY Times reports that demonstrations have been held in protest over Proposition 8 in California: Across U.S., Big Rallies for Same-Sex Marriage

"In New York, some 4,000 people gathered at City Hall, where speakers repeatedly called same-sex marriage “the greatest civil rights battle of our generation.”"

"The big crowds notwithstanding, it has been a tough month for gay rights. Proposition 8 was just one of three measures on same-sex marriage passed on Nov. 4, with constitutional bans also being approved in Arizona and Florida. In Arkansas, voters passed a measure aimed at barring gay men and lesbians from adopting children. "

"The protests over Proposition 8 also come even as same-sex marriages began Wednesday in Connecticut, which joined Massachusetts as the only states allowing such ceremonies. By contrast, 30 states have constitutional bans on such unions. "

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