The Politics of Gay Marriage

~ Laura

Along with Sulu, an old friend got married to his long time partner this week in California. Congratulations to everyone.1

I don’t write much about gay marriage, because it’s a no brainer for me. The arguments against gay marriage are too weak — the bible, paperwork hassle, commitment, what about the children — to hold much interest. The politics is much more fascinating. Of course, I have no direct stake in the decision, so I have the luxury of looking coolly on the politics without getting too hot and bothered. It’s a cool topic with lots of fun angles and a bevy of opportunities for great classroom debate.

States are acting as laboratories of democracy, each coming up with
their own method of handling this sticky issue and forcing the federal
government’s hand. Is the federal government going to have to deal with
this or can we keep the diversity in place?

There’s the tug of war between the state legislature, the courts,
and popular initiatives. CA’s November initiative may overturn the
court decision. Can the court later overturn the initiative? Which
institution best represents the interests of the people? Which venue is
the most gay friendly?

There is the red/blue map of which states are supporting gay
marriage and which ones are writing same sex marriage amendments. Are
state courts with elected judges acting differently from states with
appointed judges? Is the diversity of opinions a good thing
reflectivity the diversity of our country, or is it just a legal
headache/moral outrage?2

There’s the tug of war between the different sides. How are they
advocating for their causes? How much money do they have? How are they
working public opinion and gathering signatures the initiatives? I’ve
seen some very creative use of YouTube by these interest groups.

Is this going to have any impact on the presidential race? Some
political analysts now say this wedge issue may drive California’s
social conservatives to the polls and put the state in play for
de-facto Republican nominee John McCain.

UPDATE: NJ lawmakers are under pressure to legalize marriage. Van Morrison cover bands hope to cash in on all those weddings.

Published by Laura

6 thoughts on “The Politics of Gay Marriage”

  2. Rick roll. sweet. Yes, I’m very aware of the APSA/New Orleans debate, because I’m in a APSA listserv where the emails have been flying furiously. My favorite was from a grouchy old dude who thought that if we barred New Orleans, we should also bar all states with concealed weapons laws, capital punishment, and never ratified ERA.

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  3. I’m not in APSA anymore (last I looked, it cost real money), so this was the first I’d heard of it. The whole thing seems a bit beside the point. Somehow, I don’t think boycotting New Orleans qualifies as much of a blow against social conservatives.

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  4. California is the first state, as far as I know, that will be officiating marriages for individuals without a in-state residency requirement.
    My uncle is on a plane now with his partner to fly to CA to get married after an 8+ year legally-enforced “engagement.” (Mazel Tov to him!) Unlike Massachusetts, or the civil union states, California will really “bring home” the issue to the other states, which will have a lot more “married in California” gay residents.

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  5. APSA is being laughed at in the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121391817150590261.html?mod=taste_primary_hs
    “…some 24 gay and lesbian organizations have recently booked events in New Orleans, from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association to the International Gay Bowling Organization.
    What’s good enough for gay bowlers ought to be good enough for even the most politically correct of political scientists — or so one would think. But the boycott proponents want more…”

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  6. Kaplaugh Sulu!(Yeah heavy duty ST geek)
    Question: What did Arnie have to trade off to get this one by the GOP goalie?

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