DOMA downfall: A basis to legalize gay marriage in states?

[damnedifIknow]

"The dust is still settling after today's historic decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start trying to sort out the implications of the decision. Among the biggest questions: Will the DOMA decision serve as a legal basis for efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in the 37 states that do not currently allow it? "

Wilson Cruz, a spokesman for the LGBT rights group GLAAD, said that while it is "premature" to answer the question definitively, the DOMA decision will move the debate in favor of same-sex marriage. "The first domino in this issue has fallen," he said, "and now we're going to see the rest of them fall by the wayside."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57591133/doma-downfall-a-basis-to-legalize-gay-marriage-in-states/

[bunnies]

1. I didnt realize it was "banned" in 37 states.

Banned? As in illegal? That's disgusting.

[LeftInTX]

2. Yep, it's banned in Texas

If you're married in another state, it isn't recognized here.

But things will have to change because Texas is a big military state - LOL The state can't discriminate against military couples.

The military bases will be places that accept same-sex marriage whereas the civilians are stuck in bible-belt-arama. It will be funny to hear people ultra-patriots like Rev Hagee take stabs at the sodom-gomohora military.


ETA: By banned it means that you are considered unmarried. There is no actual punishment. However, you can't receive spousal benefits etc.

[X_Digger]

3. OMFG, I can't wait for the heads to pop here over that. :) n/t

[Ms. Toad]

4. Really?

They have been using it as a very effective tool to drive conservative voters to the polls since at least 2004, when Ohio has its marriage discrimination amendment on the ballot - and nearly every election between then and now have had ballot issues. The last elections were the first time ever that have gone the right direction.

Maybe that's our problem - not a very effective education program.

[pnwmom]

5. There's a constitutional ban in 30 states, and legislative bans in 7 others. n/t